Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's Foundation at The Giving Back Fund distributed a grant to the El Cajon (CA) Police Department just east of San Diego. The El Cajon Police plan to use the grant toward the purchase of a new K-9 for their four-dog unit.

During the 2015-16 NFL season, The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will be 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 and will consider a grant to a non-NFL market city in the United States for each playoff game in which the Steelers compete. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

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 Foundation distributed more than $130,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2014-15 NFL season and has distributed in excess of $1.3 million since 2007.

Jim Redman, El Cajon's Chief of Police said, "The El Cajon Police Department recently learned we have been selected by the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation to receive a grant award to purchase a police service dog and kennel. The purchase of this service dog will allow us to replace a retiring dog, allowing us to continue to serve the citizens of El Cajon and surrounding agencies through mutual aid. On behalf of the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Police Department, I would like to thank the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for their support and generosity. It's partnerships like these that continue to make our communities safer."

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 purchasing candy on Sarris Candies' website, ( www.SarrisCandiesFundraising.com ), using a special purchase code (77-7777). Sarris will donate 25 percent of the purchase price to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org .