The Hometown Foundation, Inc.

Emergency Response Personnel

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. recognizes that our emergency response personnel dedicate their lives and time to keeping our communities safe daily through the following programs:

Honor and raise money for K-9 officers at our annual Hearts & Paws Gala
Bring together K-9 officers from all over the county to the Dream Ride Police K-9 Expo and Challenge
Supply first responders with equipment, money, K-9s, and more.
Raised over $100,000 through our Police K-9 Awareness Retailer Program

Our Programs
Our Events

Our Programs

Police K-9 Program

Our Police K-9 Program donates fully equipped Police K-9s, equipment and training to local and state departments across the country. Many Police K-9s are not fully funded by their municipalities and rely heavily on private donations. Our goal is to equip as many departments as possible with K-9 units to ensure they are serving their communities positively and impartially.

Learn more about our Police K-9 Program

Police K-9 Exposition and Challenge

The Hometown Foundation's Police K-9 Exposition and Challenge offer a unique opportunity for K-9 units from across the country to participate in certification courses, seminar training, fundraising workshops, and a premiere competition to showcase the extensive training of Police K-9 handlers and their working dogs.

Learn more about our Police K-9 Exposition and Challenge

Project Blue Paw

Our Project Blue Paw program strives to educate youth in various communities, including those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, on how to appropriately interact with police dogs. This interactive program teaches children about the importance of Police K-9s along with learning about their job roles and responsibilities.

Police K-9 Training Facility

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. offers an elite Police K-9 training facility that can be utilized by any law enforcement agency to train. The facility is hosted at the Farmington Polo Club located in Farmington, CT.

Learn more about Police K-9 Facilities

K-9 Awareness Retailer Program

During the months of February & March, The Hometown Foundation partners with our retail stores to host K-9 Awareness to raise funds for local and state K-9 Units across the United States. Funds raised through this campaign directly support placing new K-9s in departments in need as well as supporting established K-9 Units.

Learn more about our K-9 Awareness Retailer Program

Firefighters Chili Cook-Off

Annually, The Hometown Foundation promotes a friendly competition among local fire personnel as they compete in a chili cook-off to see whose chili will reign supreme. The fire stations that win one of the coveted Firefighter Chili Cook-Off prizes receive valuable donations for their local stations.

Learn more about our Firefighters Chili Cook-Off

Hometown Heroes Grant Giveaway

During the holiday season, The Hometown Foundation awards top K-9 Units from across the country who have made an impact in their community and embodied the principles of honor, respect, pride and have demonstrated compassion for their community.

Learn more about our Hometown Heroes Grant Giveaway

Police K-9 Fundraising Accounts

The Hometown Foundation recognizes that many K-9 Units are solely funded on private donations. That is why we provide the service of managing K-9 Unit fundraising accounts which includes setting up online donation pages, marketing tools and management of those funds.

Our Events

Hearts & Paws Gala

February 14, 2026

Our fourth annual Hearts & Paws Gala was held on Valentines Day and proved to be a wonderful night of admiration to support our K-9 Officers and the important work they do! Thanks to our incredible sponsors and donors we covered 76 K-9 Officers and their guests and raised over $60,000 for the Hometown Foundation’s K-9 program. Our highlight of the evening was our keynote speaker, a law enforcement leader, bestselling author, and nationally recognized advocate for working and retired K-9s, Sgt. Mark Tappan. None of this would be possible without our partners: WFSB, Channel 3 Cares and longtime friend and K-9 supporter, Renee DiNino, host of Hello CT.

View photos from the event

Back the Blue: A Ride for Remembrance

October 19, 2025

We had a great turnout for our 4th annual Back the Blue: A Ride for Remembrance event. Thank you to all the motorcyclists, attendees and car enthusiasts who came out to show their support and respect for this community!

View photos from the event

Hearts & Paws Gala

February 7, 2025

Our third annual Hearts & Paws Gala was another great success! It was a record year for attendance, and we were able to cover ticket costs for 85 K-9 Officers and their guests. In addition, we raised over $45,000 for the Hometown Foundation’s K-9 program. We can’t thank our generous donors, sponsors, and partners: WFSB, Channel 3 Cares and longtime friend and K-9 supporter, Renee DiNino, host of Hello CT . Without your support none of this would be possible!

View photos from the event

Back the Blue: A Ride for Remembrance

October 20, 2024

It was a beautiful fall day for our 3rd Annual Back the Blue event. We had an incredible turnout to honor and celebrate fallen officers and those who protect us every day. We want to thank all of the officers who came to support and helped escort both the motorcycle ride and car cruise. Over 100 cars and 200 bikes came out to show their support!

View photos from the event

Hearts & Paws Gala

February 10, 2024

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. hosted the second annual Hearts & Paws Gala partnering with iHeartMedia, Channel 3 Cares and longtime friend and K-9 supporter, Renee DiNino. Our second year was bigger and better with a sold out crowd, including 68 K-9 officers and their guests. We want to thank again our generous sponsors and the many donors who covered the officer’s tickets. With their support we were able to raise close to $50,000 for the Hometown Foundation, Inc. Police K-9 Program!

View photos from the event

Back the Blue: Ride for Remembrance

October 28, 2023

On Oct. 28, the community gathered to remember those who reached their end of watch in the past year, including Det. Bobby Garten of the Hartford Police Department and Lieut. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy of the Bristol Police Department. The event also honored all who serve our communities and was fittingly held on National First Responders Day.

In addition to a motorcycle poker run and a car display, there were food trucks, family fun, live music, and a ceremony of remembrance with speakers from both the Hartford and Bristol police departments.

The Hometown Foundation would like to thank the businesses that supported the event, including Yankee Harley Davidson, Trantolo & Trantolo, Teddy's Stores, Jefferson Fry, and the Farmington Polo Club. We are grateful to the motorcycle and car enthusiasts that participated in the day's activities, as well as the community members who came out to show their support. Of course, none of this would be possible without our emergency responders -- who not only displayed cars, trucks, and even a boat -- but protect and serve us every day. Thank you for your service!

View photos from the event

Hearts & Paws Gala

February 11, 2023

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. partnered with Renee DiNino and iHeartMedia to host the first annual Hearts & Paws Gala. Proceeds from the Gala benefitted the Foundation's K-9 program, which provides K-9s, training, and equipment to departments in need. It was a night to also celebrate our K-9 officers for their dedication in the field. 160 guests, including 52 K-9 officers, enjoyed an evening of hors d'oeuvres, dinner and dessert, open bar, raffles, giveaways, music, special surprises, and more! We are thankful to our generous sponsors and the many donors who covered the officer's tickets.

View photos from the event

Back the Blue

October 12, 2022

On October 12, 2022 Sergeant Alex Hamzy, Sergeant Alec Iurato, and Lieutenant Dustin DeMonte responded to a domestic disturbance call. As the three officers arrived on scene, a suspect ambushed all three officers. Sergeant Hamzy and Lieutenant DeMonte were killed by the suspect. Sergeant Iurato was struck by gunfire, returned fire, and killed the suspect.

In response, The Hometown Foundation, Inc., teamed up with Bozzuto’s, Inc., Adams Hometown Markets, Farmington Polo Club, and Aqua Turf to provide a luncheon for all emergency response personnel who attended the funerals held at Rentschler Field.

In honor of the two officers who reached the end of their watch and the surviving hero, The Hometown Foundation, Inc., hosted a police-escorted benefit ride for cars and motorcycles on Oct. 30 with 100 percent of funds raised to be donated to the families of Sergeant Hamzy, Sergeant Iurato, and Lieutenant DeMonte. Hundreds of motorcycles, cars, and supporters turned out to the event.

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Eli’s On Whitney Fundraiser for the Hamden Police Department

April 13th, 2022

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. teamed up with the Hamden Police Department and Eli’s on Whitney to raise funds for the Hamden Police K-9 Unit. On Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 5 P.M. – close Eli’s on Whitney donated 20% of all sales to support the K-9 Unit. Hamden residents, community supports, friends, and family joined us at the restaurant for a great meal, raffles, and K-9 meet and greets. Proceeds from the event benefitted the Hamden Police K-9 Unit consisting of Sgt. Venditto and K-9 Knight and Sgt. May and K-9 Blaze.

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A Hero's Ride

June 27th, 2021

A Hero's Ride was held by The Hometown Foundation, Inc. to honor and benefit the brave men and women of the New Haven Fire Department. The Hometown Foundation honored firefighters and heroes, Ricardo Torres Jr., Samod Rankins, William McMillian, and the New Have Fire Department. This police escorted motorcycle ride brought together over a thousand of supporters to depart from Bozzuto’s Inc. in Cheshire, CT, ride past the New Haven Fire Department, and return to Cheshire. All funds raised directly benefitted the New Haven Fire Benevolent Fund to support these families.

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Choolaah Fundraiser for the Upper Merion Township Police Department

May 13th, 2021

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Choolaah, located in King of Prussia, PA, held a K-9 fundraiser with The Hometown Foundation, Inc. to benefit the Upper Merion Township Police K-9 Unit. Community supporters enjoyed delicious food, K-9 meet and greets, and K-9 demonstrations in the King of Prussia center. We appreciate the support and commitment the event received from the community.

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Mickey's Restaurant Fundraiser for the Hamden Police Department

March 13th, 2019

After Sergeant Jason Venditto of the Hamden, CT Police Department lost his K-9, Viking, the Hometown Foundation, Inc. partnered with K&J Tree Service and American Total Protection to secure a new K-9 partner, K-9 Knight. The Town of Hamden rallied alongside The Hometown Foundation to collect donations for the new K-9 Unit as well as host a give back night at Mickey's Restaurant and Bar. During the evening event, 20% of all meals and beverages were donated back to The Hometown Foundation, Inc. to benefit the Hamden Police K-9 Unit and their new K-9, Knight.

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Puerto Vallarta Fundraisers for local K-9 Units

February 26th, 2019

Puerto Vallarta restaurants located in Avon, Danbury, Middletown, Newington, Orange, and Southington all hosted a give back night to support their respective local K-9 Units. Each location donated 20% of all evening event sales to The Hometown Foundation, Inc. to support our Police K-9 Awareness Program. The event supported local police departments, allowing departments in that jurisdiction to interact with their community and spread the awareness of Police K-9 Officers.

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Vermont Rally for K-9 Mike

October 13th, 2018

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. and Rally2Give hosted a motorcycle cruise at Wilkins Harley-Davidson to raise funds to place a new K-9 Unit in the City of Barre, Vermont. The donated K-9 was named after fallen police officer Michael Zemanek who served as a deputy sheriff in Orange County, VT. The event included a motorcycle ride and barbeque lunch alongside Rally2Give's showcase of exotic and rare cars.

American Hero Benefit Dinner

March 19th, 2018

The American Hero Benefit Dinner held at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Newtown, CT honored fallen Navy SEAL Jason Lewis. This ticketed event raised funds to purchase Police K-9 Louie, named after Jason Lewis and to place a memorial bench in his memory. The event included food, drinks, live entertainment, a meet and greet with K-9 puppies, and an appearance by MMA Light Heavyweight fighter, Glover Teixeira.

View photos from the event

Supporting those
who keep our communities safe

Emergency Response Personnel