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OAKVILLE, ON, November 10, 2025 – Halton Police Foundation and presenting partner FirstOntario Credit Union are proud to announce the launch of the Adopt A K9 program. Halton Regional Police Service has five highly skilled K9s that play a vital role in keeping the community safe. The four-legged members of Halton's elite K9 Unit are highly skilled, dedicated, loyal and always ready to serve. Now with each symbolic adoption through the Adopt A K9 Program individuals can celebrate the skills and bravery of Halton's K9 Unit while supporting Halton Police Foundation and critical programs that support at-risk youth and underserved community members. Each symbolic adoption includes a plush replica of your chosen K9 hero, an official certificate of adoption, and a fun facts card about your furry officer. Entry 3081 FirstOntario Credit Union is proud to partner with Halton Police Foundation (HPF) as a member of their Founders' Circle and as presenting partner of the Adopt A K9 program. This collaboration underscores FirstOntario's commitment to strengthening community safety and engagement. "At FirstOntario, we believe in building stronger communities through meaningful partnerships. Supporting the Halton Police Foundation's K9 Program is a unique way to connect with residents while contributing to public safety," said Joanne Battaglia, senior vice-president, Marketing, Communications & Partnerships, FirstOntario Credit Union. "We're proud to stand alongside the Foundation in its mission to create and support programs that make a real difference." "We are thrilled to launch this innovative program to not only help educate our community on the valuable role that our K9 Unit plays to ensure our communities are protected and safe, but to also raise funds to support Halton Police Foundation and critical programs that support our most vulnerable community members," said Colleen Mulholland, Executive Director of HPF. "While the police serve community members during their most difficult moments, we know that lasting change comes from working together. We sincerely thank FirstOntario for believing in the power of policing partnerships and for their commitment to a safe, thriving Halton." Visit the Adopt A K9 section at www.haltonpolicefoundation.com to learn more and adopt.

Pictured from L-R are Mr. George Limberis, Chair of the Halton Police Foundation, Stephen J. Tanner, Chief of the Halton Regional Police Service, and Mr. Keith Strong, Community Philanthropist. Halton Police Foundation publicly launches and announces its first major gift There is no doubt that the nature of policing presents many challenges; and as first responders, our officers often meet people on their worst days. Though each of our sworn members are always ready to respond, we know that a lot of the time, the problems that the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is trying to fix go beyond what we alone can offer. To help people improve and transform their lives, they require long-term and specialized supports that can only be achieved through the power of community partnerships.That’s why in 2024, in honour of HRPS’ 50th anniversary milestone, the Halton Police Foundation (HPF) was launched. Working with donors and community partners, the Foundation – which is the first police foundation established in Ontario – will grant funds to Halton based charitable programs that support at-risk youth and underserved individuals of all ages who need our collective help the most. Although the Foundation operates independently, it is aligned with the values and vision of Halton Regional Police Service; One Team – People First.Chief of the Halton Regional Police Service, Stephen J. Tanner, said: “Over the last five decades, our officers have responded to every type of emergency call imaginable, and in those moments, have witnessed firsthand the common circumstances that can lead people into unhealthy and unproductive cycles. “Halton is home to countless support services that address many of the underlying challenges people are facing. By granting funds to these exceptional organizations, the Halton Police Foundation will not only achieve its primary goal of helping to ensure that at-risk youth and adults across the region have equal opportunities to thrive, but over time, we hope to see a noticeable difference in the number and types of emergency calls our police service receives and responds to.”George Limberis, Chair of the Halton Police Foundation, said: “We are immensely proud to partner with the Halton Regional Police Service and grateful for the support of Chief Tanner and the Police Service Board. Our mission is two-fold. We will help at-risk youth unlock aspiration and potential so they can become strong and productive community members, and we will assist the most underserved people in Halton by helping to remove barriers and provide access to the supports they need to grow and prosper.”Limberis added, “In addition to building trusted partnerships with like-minded organizations, we are thrilled to partner with community-centric donors who share our passion of making a positive impact across the region.”He continued, “In that regard, today, we are thrilled to announce that HPF is in the process of receiving a philanthropic gift of $730,000. This gift is made possible through the generosity of Mr. Keith Strong and the Halton Heroes Committee. On behalf of all of us, we extend our most heartfelt gratitude.” This milestone gift will aid the highest priority needs of members of the Halton Regional Police Service, and their families, who have been injured or have lost their lives in the line of duty. Although thankfully such situations are rare, if such a devastating situation does occur, this gift ensures that HPF is ready and prepared to respond.“Since 2012, the Halton Heroes Fund has grown into a remarkable force for good and we sincerely thank the Burlington Community Foundation for stewarding it over the past 13 years. The Halton Police Foundation is now the rightful home of the fund, and we are confident that they will continue to manage it wisely and responsibly.", shares Mr. Strong.For more information and to get involved, please visit www.haltonpolicefoundation.com.   ABOUT HALTON REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE: The HRPS is the ninth largest police service in Ontario, proudly providing frontline and investigative support to more than 672,000 area residents. Our jurisdiction is the fastest-growing region in the GTA and is expected to reach a population of 897,000 by 2031.ABOUT HALTON POLICE FOUNDATION:The Halton Police Foundation is a registered, non-profit organization, committed to supporting at-risk youth and our most underserved community members. Fueled by the generosity of our donors and partners, we provide charitable grants that make a positive impact across the region.  CRA#713200277 RR 0001.  Media inquiries:Halton Police Foundation | Colleen Mulholland, Interim Executive DirectorED@haltonpolicefoundation.caHalton Regional Police Service | Corporate Communications CorpComm@haltonpolice.ca  

Keith Strong: Championing Halton's Heroes Keith Strong vividly recalls the evening he learned of the tragic deaths of two local police officers killed in the line of duty. Watching the news and seeing the grieving families trying to raise funds for immediate needs moved him deeply. “I just knew that there had to be a better way,” Keith recalls. “Our dedicated police officers protect us every day. They risk their health and lives to ensure we live, work, and play in a safe community.” A long-time Burlington resident, retired entrepreneur, and passionate philanthropist, Keith quickly took action. In 2011, he gathered like-minded community leaders to form the Community Cares Committee of Halton, which launched the Halton Heroes Gala. Since its inaugural event in 2012, the Halton Heroes Gala has grown into a remarkable force for good. With five successful fundraising events, generous donations and through strong investment strategies while stewarded by the Burlington Community Foundation over the past 13 years, nearly $730,000 has been raised to support the families of injured or fallen officers. In a major milestone, Keith and the Halton Heroes Committee announced that they were in the process of gifting the $730,000 to the newly formed Halton Police Foundation. "This is now the rightful home of the Halton Heroes Fund," the Committee members declare. "We are honoured to partner with the Halton Police Foundation, and are confident that they will manage these funds wisely and responsibly."

Get ready to meet your new four-legged hero! The Adopt a K9 Program in support of Halton Police Foundation, gives families, kids, and dog lovers of all ages the chance to symbolically adopt one of our highly trained and specialized Halton Police Service K9s. It’s a tail-wagging way to support our four-legged crime-fighting companions and the community they protect. When you adopt, you’ll receive a plush replica of your chosen K9, an official certificate of symbolic adoption, and a fact card packed with cool stats about the real-life K9 hero you’re supporting. Whether you're into tail-wagging trackers, scent-savvy search dogs, or detection dynamos, there’s a K9 waiting to be your perfect match. With each adoption, you help support the important work of the Halton Police Foundation — and you get to join the ranks of our elite #K9Crew! By adopting, you’re not just bringing home a cuddly companion — you’re celebrating the bravery and skill of our K9 Unit while supporting programs that make a difference in your community. The Adopt a K9 program is almost ready to launch! Soon, you’ll be able to symbolically adopt one of the Halton Police Service’s highly trained, four-legged officers — and bring home a plush replica of your chosen K9, an official certificate of symbolic adoption, and a fact card packed with cool stats about the real-life K9 hero you’re supporting. Drop your email below and we’ll let you know the second you can join the elite #K9Crew.  Sit. Stay. Sign up! Leave this field blank Email Add me!