On Friday, June 2, and Saturday, June 3, the Georgia Police K9 Foundation hosted its massively popular fundraiser, “An Evening for the K9s.”
The event began with a “Friday Night Kick Off” at CrossRoads Community Church from 7-9pm. It then resumed on Saturday at The Oak Room at Ogeechee Tech from 6-11pm.
The fundraiser boasted a red-carpet atmosphere, while attendees enjoyed food, raffles, meeting K9 heroes, and so much more. More than 1,000 attendees--from 46 states--attended the event.
As a result of the foundation's fundraising and efforts, a total of $300,000 was raised to support its ongoing mission.
Kyle Briley, Founder and President of the Georgia Police K9 Foundation and Corporal of the IMPACT K9 Team in Statesboro, GA, had these words to share on the success of the fundraising event:
“This year has been far better than last year’s event, which was equally incredible. The Georgia Police K9 Foundation would like to thank all our supporters, sponsors, and K9 teams from across the country for coming out and supporting this event.”
Countless K9 celebrities and noteworthy public figures attended the event. Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp were in attendance for the Saturday “Evening for the K9s,” in support of the first responder organization.
K9 Jerry Lee and his partner, Officer Ed Reeves, were also present.
On April 18, 2021, Jerry Lee and his partner answered the call to help a neighboring jurisdiction track a fleeing felon. Jerry Lee located the suspect and was shot in the front-left leg during the incident, saving his partner’s life. Unfortunately, Jerry Lee’s front-left leg had to be amputated, due to his valor. Since that night, Jerry Lee has been an active ambassador for the Georgia Police K9 Foundation. He also serves the Austell PD in the community relations department.
Celebrity K9 Mattis and his partner, Sergeant Mark Tappan, were also in attendance.
K9 Mattis is one of the most decorated police K9s of all time. In fact, he has a purple heart for his valor, after being injured back in 2016. Mattis also holds credits as being a reality TV star and actor. Mark and Mattis have made notable media appearances on Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, The Weather Channel, Live PD on A&E, Entertainment Tonight, and WINNING America’s Top Dog on A&E.
Celebrity K9 trainer Nick White was also in attendance. White was the guest speaker and emcee to the Saturday portion of the event as well.
White is an impactful public figure for the Georgia Police K9 Foundation and remains an avid supporter and steadfast contributor to the organization’s efforts.
Nick White is popularly known as a celebrity dog trainer, author, and veteran of the United States Marines Corps. He has also spent time in the United States Secret Service, and has worked as a celebrity bodyguard. White runs his own successful canine training organization, Off Leash K9 Training, LLC. A few notable celebrities who he has conducted canine training for are Ryan Reynolds, Vice President Cheney, Scott Eastwood, and Logan Paul.
Texas Cop 2.0 also made a guest appearance, in support of the foundation's fundraiser.
Texas Cop 2.0 (also known as Corporal Chuck) is a Houston-area cop who became a viral social media sensation for chronicling his daily life as a police officer. His Tik Tok account has 1.8 Million followers and 41.3 Million likes.
Other K9 special guest speakers to the event included Sara Carson (an America’s Got Talent Finalist) and HULKRILLA.
Sara Carson is popularly revered as one of the top international trick dog trainers. She has received several awards showcasing her achievements in the past years, with the feature of her Super Collies. Carson and her Super Collies been widely featured, making appearances on America’s Got Talent, The Late Show with David Letterman, Nickelodeon, and The CW.
HULKRILLA (similar to Texas Cop 2.0) is a viral social media sensation who chronicles his daily life as a police officer in South Carolina (Tik Tok: 2.3 Million followers and 36.5 Million likes).
Thoughts from Georgia Police K9 Foundation officials and supporters
“Following the amputation of Jerry Lee's front-leg, me and his purpose (now) is to help raise money for the Georgia Police K9 Foundation. The foundation took care of us in our time of need. We both serve on the foundation’s board to help raise money for K9s like him.” -Officer Ed Reeves
“This is the second year that I am hosting the “Evening for the K9s” event. I am also a big supporter and contributor to their organization. To anyone in the K9 industry (like myself) this is an amazing cause to support. Our law enforcement officers and K9s are very important to ensuring public safety. The Georgia Police K9 Foundation plays a very intricate part in ensuring that our officers and K9s throughout the State of Georgia are well-equipped and financially supported to do the job.” -Nick White
“Each year, I get the opportunity to come out here and appreciate the K9s, the handlers, and support Kyle Briley. The effort which the foundation puts into the fundraiser each year is truly incredible. Fundraisers like this one show you the willingness that people have towards supporting the local law enforcement and K9 teams. The Georgia Police K9 Foundation is an amazing foundation to support.” -Texas Cop 2.0
“I’m surprised at how quickly our organization has grown, but we have support from all over the country now. Tons of travelers come to Statesboro each year to support our foundation and the K9 teams nationwide. My continued hope for our fundraiser is that attendees leave saying: ‘that was the best night we ever had, with the most K9s we've ever seen.’” -Tracy Mallary, Georgia Police K9 Foundation Board Member
Official links for the Georgia Police K9 Foundation and its celebrity supporters.
For more information on the Georgia Police K9 Foundation, visit https://www.gapolicek9foundation.org/.
To DONATE to the Georgia Police K9 Foundation, CLICK HERE.
For more information on K9 Jerry Lee and Officer Reaves, CLICK HERE.
For more information on Mark and K9 Mattis, CLICK HERE.
For more information on Nick White, CLICK HERE.
For more information on Texas Cop 2.0, CLICK HERE.
For more information on Sara Carson, CLICK HERE.
For more information on HULKRILLA, CLICK HERE.
