Want to join me in making a difference? I am raising money to benefit Greenville Sheriffs Foundation K-9 Fund and any donation will help make an impact.

 

My family moved to Greenville 10 years ago when my husband retired from the Army. Four years ago our family joined the Adopt-A-Cop program. We have since become part of the the Greenville County K-9 family and feel privileged to call many of these officers our friends. Last week one of Greenville's fearless K-9's was shot twice in the line of duty. Nikos has been fighting for his life and thanks to our veterinary hero's his recovery is looking more positive by the day. Whether or not he will be able to work again is unknown. Because of Nikos bravery his human partner is alive.

 

If you have never had the privilege of seeing these dogs at work, let me tell you, they are AMAZING!! They can sniff out contraband the size of a raisin, they can track people (both good and bad) with amazing skill. Last year the dogs assisted in finding a Greenville boy lost in the woods and an elderly man with dementia. These dogs are a service to our community in so many ways. They run blind into danger to assist and protect their humans. In the last six years the Upstate has lost three K-9 officers, one two legged and two four legged, and now we have a critically injured officer.

10-20-20 Officer Conley Jumper (spent a great deal of his career as a K-9 handler) was killed in the line of duty.

10-21-15 K-9 Hyco gave his life for his handler in Anderson County

8-12-20 K-9 Roscoe gave his life for his handler in Anderson County

9-29-21 K-9 Nikos was critically wounded protecting his handler in Greenville County

 

A fact I have been privy to, with these officers as my friends, is that 92% of Greenville County Sheriffs Budget is allotted to salaries. Only 8% of the budget is for equipment and training. To put a dog in an officers home cost $12,500 and that is before training. Greenville County is blessed to have skilled, in house staff, that are able to provide our officers and K-9's with the training they need at only the cost of man hours.

 

My goal is to raise enough money to purchase one dog but the county currently needs three. I am going to walk my feet off, going door to door, until I have enough to purchase a dog. If you know of anyone that may be interested in helping me in my mission please share my story. Again, I cannot stress enough, there is no donation too small.

Thank you in advance for your kind assistance to our Men & Women in Blue! May God Bless You!

Respectfully, Karen Lizurick