Published: June 15, 2008 10:33 pm      

West End Lions aid K-9 drive

West End Lions Club has joined the list of organizations, business owners and individuals contributing money to help the Johnstown Police Department purchase three highly trained police dogs.

At a meeting at Ace’s at 316 Chestnut St. in Cambria City, club members presented the police department with a $1,000 check to be used toward acquiring the canines.

Accepting the check on behalf of the department was Officer Frank Kiefer and his dog, Konan. Kiefer, a member of the force for 19 years, told the Lions that Konan is one of three of the five city police dogs facing retirement.

The city funds the dogs’ daily needs.

But it has fallen to police officers to raise money to buy needed equipment and the dogs themselves. One canine can cost more than $6,000, police have said.

Police Chief Craig Foust said at the end of last week that nearly $13,000 has been raised in a matter of weeks since the department’s dilemma became public.

That includes a $4,000 commitment from the City of Johnstown, which means the majority of the cash has come from the general public.

The outpouring from the community has been tremendous and greatly appreciated, Foust said.

He said the donations have included checks for thousands of dollars as well as contributions in much smaller amounts.

Some of the contributions have come from outside the area, Foust noted.

The department still needs about $8,000 in the dog campaign, the police chief said.

The West End club’s new officers were installed at the meeting.

They are Edward Cernic Sr., president; James Salvia, first vice president; William Neatrour, second vice president; Kamal Gella, third vice president; Earl Musselman, secretary; Carol Golias, assistant secretary; Andy Kasper, treasurer; John Neatrour, assistant treasurer; Debbie Sojak, tail twister; Terri Kodgis, assistant tail twister; Steve Fabina, lion tamer; and Ron Kodgis, assistant lion tamer.

Cernic succeeds Cassandra Sojak, who will become governor of the six-county Lions District 14-J on July 1.

Cernic also served as the West End club’s president in 1995-96.

Juanita Faulx and Albert Cerulla each received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor given by Lions International for service to Lionism.

Terri Kodgis was named the West End club’s Lion of the Year for her service and dedication to the club. Fabina received the Pennsylvania Lions Foundation Award for outstanding service to Lionism.

Frank Popp, the club’s publicity chairman, said Fabina attends all club meetings and is involved in all of its projects.

Popp announced that the club has contributed 2,000 pair of donated eyeglasses for the International Lions’ project of providing used eyewear to people in Third World countries.