By Press Times Staff
HOBART – A donation of $53,282.62 has boosted the fundraising efforts of the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department’s K-9 program.
The donation made last week by Lexington Homes, Inc. brings the total amount of funds raised to $100,000, the goal established when the K-9 program was created.
The latest fundraising effort was created to fund the ongoing annual costs of the program and the eventual replacement of K-9 Officer Bax.
“The donation from Lexington Homes is a tremendous boost in our fundraising efforts,” said Hobart Village Administrator Aaron Kramer. “When the K-9 position was created, it was clearly established that no tax dollars would be allocated to the program, which has resulted in our ongoing fundraising. The confidence in our K-9 program that Lexington Homes has expressed with their donation ensures the program will continue after Bax’s eventual retirement, which we hope is many years away.”
Police Chief Randy Bani said the donation “comes as a big surprise to the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department and is such a huge step forward for our future K-9 program.”
“I want to personally thank Jeff Marlow and his entire team at Lexington Homes for their hard work, dedication, and this enormous donation,” Bani said. “We will continue in our fundraising efforts and we look forward to providing quality law enforcement services to our residents.”
Lexington Homes President Jeff Marlow said being involved with the Village of Hobart has been a very rewarding experience for the company.
“As the community continues to grow, we saw an opportunity to support one of the most important services in the community through the funding of the K-9 unit,” Marlow said. “The safety of the residents in a municipality is always a top priority. It is an honor to be able to support the Village of Hobart Police Department.”
The K-9 program was added to the police department in 2015, thanks in large part to an $80,000 donation from a Hobart family.
Donations may be made at the Hobart Village Office at 2990 South Pine Tree Road or online at: hobart-wi.org/payonline.