On Friday September 14^th local residents, Hal and Vicki Harrington, presented the New Lenox Fire Protection District with a check to cover the cost of a protective flack vest for Red, the fire district’s search and rescue dog.

When they found out the fire district was training a new search and rescue dog, they had to meet him and help.  They heard about Red’s needs at the Chili’s
fundraiser for Red this past May.  The event raised approximately $476 to help raise money for Red’s continued training, equipment, medical expenses and eventually a flack vest.  On the very first day of the event the couple
asked to purchase the vest for Red.  In the past, they have purchased several vests through a group called Illinois Vest-a- Dog.  The group helped raise
funds for working public service dogs to protect them in the line of duty.  Although Vest- a- Dog is no longer in operation, Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have not let that stop them. 

“We pick a dog every year to donate the money to cover the
costs of the flack vest”, states Vicki Harrington. 

 “It was a complete surprise that a local couple would offer to pay for the protective vest”,  states Roy “Skip” Minger, president of the Board of Trustees, “it is so important when he is out on a call that he is protected from harm.”