Twelve year old Timothy Watters, a resident of Falls Township, was watching
a television program in which a police dog was injured because he did
not have a bullet and stab vest. Although the injury was not real, it
got Tim thinking that equipping police K-9 officers was a good project
to fulfill his Confirmation requirement. Because Tim's municipality
does not have a K-9 unit, he approached the Middletown Township Police
Department's K-9 officers about his idea. They enthusiastically encouraged
Tim to proceed.
Tim contacted several area
newspapers and pet stores with his idea and asked for donations to outfit
each of the Department's 4 dogs at a cost of $700 for each vest. The
Foundation agreed to accept the earmarked donations and funds started
coming in from all over the area and as far away as Florida. To date,
Tim's idea has resulted in over $11,000 in donations.
During the time Tim was collecting
donations, Zeus, one of the Township's K-9 officers died. Because of
the donations, the Township was able to purchase Dax and have him complete
K-9 training with his partner, Officer Brian Reeves. Both Officer Reeves
and Dax, each equipped with life saving vests, are already patrolling
the Township.
On February 25, 2003, Foundation
President Todd Buch, K-9 officer Michael Marks and his partner Usher,
presented a plaque of appreciation to Tim at a meeting of the Middletown
Township Board of Supervisors.
Future plans for the remaining
donations include the construction of a training obstacle course for
the K-9s.
Tim's idea is a fine example
of the Foundation's mission of improving the quality of life for those
who live and work in Middletown Township.
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