WILKES-BARRE — Getting the dogs was just the beginning. The next step is paying for their upkeep and training as the newest members of the department’s K-9 unit.
The Wilkes-Barre Police Department retired its only patrol dog, “Zorro,” earlier this year. Last month, Motorworld Toyota donated $15,000 toward the purchase of a new one, and a second dog was obtained from a municipality that was disbanding its K-9 unit.
“They’re matching the police officers up with the dogs,” said Charlotte Raup, president of the Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch Coalition.
To purchase the necessary equipment, including vests for the canines and a specialized vehicle for their handlers to use on patrol, the coalition will hold a variety auction and basket raffle on Sept. 18 at the Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre.
The event starts at 5 p.m. with a preview of the items, followed by the auction at 6 p.m. Tommy Woods, a disc jockey at the former radio station WARM, will be the auctioneer. There will be a cash bar during the event.
Raup said the planning and preparation has been going on for months.
“We sent out hundreds and hundreds of letters,” she said Monday.
Raup said the response has been overwhelming, with donated items ranging from a signed script of “The Office” — the hit television comedy based on the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co. in Scranton — to gift certificates and autographed sports and rock-n-roll memorabilia. There also are baskets filled with CDs, Mia Bella candles, Star Wars merchandise and much more.
“There’s going to be something for everybody,” Raup said. All proceeds from the event will be added to the nearly $8,000 raised by the coalition so far.
The fundraising will continue after the auction, with other events planned to cover additional expenses, Raup said. “I think it’s probably going to be an ongoing thing,” Raup said.
Donations for the first auction will be accepted until Sept. 10 to give the Raup and the others working on the event time to prepare, she said.
The Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch Coalition has been planning and preparing for its upcoming fundraiser to purchase and outfit the Wilkes-Barre Police Department’s new police dogs. Getting together for the event were: left to right, front row, Shari McDermott, Sharon Katsock, Aleta Payne, Charlotte Raup and Ellen Grula; and back row, Betsy Pelletier and Wilkes-Barre City Police Department officers Jason Oliver and Kevin Novackowski.
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The Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch Coalition has been planning and preparing for its upcoming fundraiser to purchase and outfit the Wilkes-Barre Police Department’s new police dogs. Getting together for the event were: left to right, front row, Shari McDermott, Sharon Katsock, Aleta Payne, Charlotte Raup and Ellen Grula; and back row, Betsy Pelletier and Wilkes-Barre City Police Department officers Jason Oliver and Kevin Novackowski.
Submitted photo
By Jerry Lynott
jlynott@timesleader.com
Auction to raise funds for Wilkes-Barre Police Department K9 expenses and training
When: Sept. 18, preview starts at 5 p.m., auction follows at 6 p.m.
Where: Best Western Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, 77 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre
Additional details: Admission is free. A cash bar will be available. Tommy Woods, a disc jockey at the former radio station WARD, will be the auctioneer.
Contact: The Wilkes-Barre Crime Watch Coalition at 570-208-8900 .
To view a sample of the items to be auctioned off, visit the W-B Police K-9 Auction Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/jedx84h
Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott