The Willingboro Township (NJ) Police Department will use its grant to purchase a new K-9. (Photo: Facebook)
Today, Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl Quarterback and Findlay, OH, native, Ben Roethlisberger, announced the second grant of the 2016 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. The Foundation will be distributing a grant to the Willingboro Township Police Department in New Jersey just northeast of Philadelphia where the Steelers will play the Eagles on September 25, 2016.
The Willingboro Township Police will use the grant funds to add a dual purpose (patrol and narcotics) K-9 to their unit.
During the 2016 NFL season, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers. The Foundation will also distribute several grants to the Pittsburgh area. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.
This marks the 10th season that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. The mission of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. Roethlisberger and the Foundation also support Make-A-Wish.
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation distributed more than $170,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2015 NFL season, including $93,250 in the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.5 million since 2007.
Lieutenant Ian S. Bucs, Unit Supervisor with the Willingboro Township Police Department, said, "We extend our gratitude to Ben Roethlisberger and his foundation for donating funds to purchase a police K-9. This grant will allow the police department to enhance the service that it provides to the community by adding a new K-9 team on patrol. It is evident that Mr. Roethlisberger is a committed community partner, and we will be forever grateful for the support from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation."
In commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, "We're very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We're just thrilled to do our small part."
Fans of The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation can support future K-9 grants by joining Ben's crowdfunding campaign on https://pledgeit.org/big-ben. Big Ben is pledging $1,000 per throwing touchdown this season to his foundation. Supporters can increase the impact by pledging to donate any amount per touchdown.
For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org.
