Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing editor

Community members are raising funds to donate to the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office for needs of the K-9 officers.

Organizer Connie McClendon said department budgets cannot always fund everything that officers would like to provide for the dogs that serve alongside them.

These items might include bulletproof vests, crates, dog flashlights and Narcan for the dogs searching for drugs.

“I understand the state provides money and grants, but we thought as a community that it would be good to have community support for this department as well,” McClendon said.

Cause for the Paws is a drawing fundraiser with tickets being sold for $20. Only 250 will be sold.

Prizes include a Springfield XD 9mm (valued at $450), a pocket knife (valued at $250) and gift card bundles.

Tickets can be purchased through the money giving app Venmo @PoliceK9Vests (text 336-255-4503 with Venmo name, name, email and phone number to get the ticket), by emailing connie@lotushomeloans.com or dropping it off in person at Exit Royal Realty.

The drawing will be held on Facebook Live on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m.

The group hopes to raise $5,000.

Lotus Lending Group and Exit Royal Realty are the main sponsors for this project.