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Holy Family School raises money for Poland PD K9
Photo
A check for $500 that was raised by students at Holy Family School was presented to the Poland Police Department to purchase a K9 dog equipment and car. Pictured are (from left) seventh-grader Nico Marchionda, third-grader Alex LaPlante, Student Council advisor Renee Abbattista, eighth-grader Meredith Lea, Student Council advisor Lissa Oslin, Poland Police Department patrolmen J.R. Jackson and Tom Johnson, and sixth-grader Aubrie McClellan.
By TIM CLEVELAND
When the Poland Police Department needed help in raising money for a new K9 unit, Holy Family School was right at the top of the list of organizations to call.
On March 24, patrolmen J.R. Jackson and Tom Johnson came to the school to be presented with a check for $500 that the school raised with a dress-down day, in which students could wear jeans with a donation, and by selling Valentine’s Day items in the school’s weekly Dragon Wagon mobile supply cart.
“We like to do community charitable events,” said Student Council advisor Renee Abbattista, who helped organize the fundraiser along with fellow advisor Lissa Oslin. “In talking with officer T.J. [Tom Johnson], he was here for DARE. He mentioned the K9 unit was looking for the new addition. Mrs. Oslin and myself decided [to get involved]. The Student Council’s main priority is to raise funds for school and charitable organizations. We try to do something local.”
Abbattista mentioned that last week the school did a dress-down day to help raise funds for Boardman teacher Christine Terlesky, who has been diagnosed with ALS.
A total of $30,000 is needed for the K9 unit, which includes the dog, car, equipment and training. Jackson said he hopes that the training will begin later this year. So far, more than $14,000 has been raised.
“It’s great,” Jackson said. “They put on a good benefit. They were having a dress-down day. I heard it was a big success.”