Fund started for bulletproof vest

She doesn't live in Greencastle, let alone Antrim Township. But Peggy McQuitty of Williamson is in Greencastle often enough to appreciate the police department and to love the newest member of the staff.

At Sidewalk Days in July she met Rony, the police dog, and his handler, Officer Keith Russell. During their conversation she discovered Rony was not protected with a bulletproof vest, as there were no funds for that piece of equipment.

"I was horrified," she said.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt called to take action. She has set up an account at Orrstown Bank to raise $1,000 for a vest for Rony.

"I feel it needs to be done," McQuitty said. "It doesn't matter who does it. This is doable. And it dawned on me, this is a way to thank the anonymous donor. If he can donate $13,000 for the dog, we can cough up another thousand."

She is confident the public will respond.

Her husband Steve acknowledged there were many dog lovers around, such as his wife.

The couple is retired, he from the post office and she from Waynesboro Hospital, though she is now a caregiver for the elderly. They have two dogs, Welsh Corgi “Spud” and French Bulldog “Maizy.” And they now care about Rony from a distance.

Donations may be sent to: Rony Vest Fund, c/o Orrstown Bank, 308 Carolle St., Greencastle.