The Hillsboro Police Dept. will be receiving vests thanks to a nationwide GROUPON EVENT. An animal related campaign through Groupon Grassroots to outfit police K9s with bullet and stab protective vests is running from March 13 through March 20 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Vested Interest in K9?s, Inc., is the non-profit organization and charity partner selected by Groupon Grassroots to participate. The online $10 donation suggested interested persons purchase a GROUPON (a tax deductible donation) through the secure website where all funds were allocated to purchase ballistic vests for our four-legged crime fighters who put their lives on the line for the community and their partner.
The 8 day campaign raised over $155,000 which will allow Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. to outfit over 150 police K9s with vests throughout the United States. After the Groupon campaign ends, the organization will still accept donations through their website: www.vik9s.org and through the mail P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.
ABOUT VESTED INTEREST IN K9S, INC. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) all volunteer charity located in East Taunton, MA. whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests for law enforcement dogs throughout the United States. Each vest costs $950.00 and has a 5 year warranty. The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life saving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers. Through private and corporate sponsorships Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided 66 police dogs with protective vests in 2012. In September of 2012, the non-profit hit a milestone of donating $100,000 in protective vests to law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.
The organization orders the U.S. made vests exclusively from distributor Regency Police Supply in Hyannis, MA. who also does the custom embroidery on the body armor.
New K9 graduates as well as K9?s with expired vests are eligible to be added to the organization?s waiting list.
President, Sandy Marcal began working with law enforcement agencies in 2000 to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, vest sponsorships, fundraising events and the media within Massachusetts. In 2011, efforts were expanded to assist police dogs throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. currently has a list of over 20 police dogs needing vests. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations and event listings are via the website: www.vik9s.org.
