Ben Roethlisberger's Foundation Helps NJ Police Keep K-9s

FLEMINGTON, NJ — The Flemington Police Department will be able to keep its K-9 units thanks to the generosity of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

The department was one of just two nationwide chosen to receive a grant from The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund to help fund their K-9 units. The department will use the grant to purchase safety and training equipment for its K-9 team.

"We are honored to have been selected for this grant," said Lt. William Soriano in a statement. "Without the foundation, departments like ours would not to able to keep our K-9 units operating."

The Flemington Police Department's K-9 units were formed in 2017. It is funded completely by fundraisers and donations.

"This grant will be used to keep both of our K-9s well-equipped and safe so that they can continue apprehending criminals and keep up the with the fight against drugs and Flemington and surrounding communities," Soriano said.

The City of Kent New York Police Department was the other police department that will receive a grant.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the surrounding communities of each Steelers' regular season away game this season. The Steelers played, and lost, to the Jets in East Rutherford Sunday.

It is the 13th season at the foundation has distributed grants to K-9 police units. It distributed more than $145,000 to K-9 units in the country during the 2018 NFL season and more than $1.7 million since 2007.

"We're very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units," Roethlisberger said in a statement. "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."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com