Eagle Scout Raises $1,000 for Police dog Hassan

The K-9 unit for the force has received a boost that will help provide additional funding for the program.

At its meeting Monday night, The accepted a $1,000 donation from Beckett Evans, a 17-year-old Kutztown High School student.

"Thank you for your generous donation," chairman Edward J. Early said. "K-9s can be very expensive to buy and train. With this generous support, we can provide more training and supplies."

Evans received a gift certificate to Applebee's Restaurant and a certificate of appreciation from the commission, along with a round of applause.

Police K-9 handler Matt Gardner said that some of the funds will be used to fit K-9 dog Hassan with an electronic collar that costs between $400 and $500.

"The collars are very humane," Gardner said. "They are more of a training tool and vital to our training. Public donations are huge in what we do."

Evans raised the money as part of his Eagle Scout project and did it hosting a police safety program for school children that was attended by Gardner and Hassan. He also got help from a Ford dealership in Kutztown, where he operated a concession stand.

"I had such a great time with those guys," Evans said. "Sitcoms often think as police of not that great. But Matt has a great guy. He was really fun to talk to."