WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. — Eight-year-old Ana Gent, a student at Meadowlane Elementary School in West Melbourne, was recognized today by school officials and police officers of the West Melbourne Police Department for raising over $1,100.00 for a bullet-proof vest for one of the Police Department’s patrol dogs.
Ana, with help from her parents, raised the money through bucket-drops over the past several months. The vest, which is bulletproof and stab proof, is a very valuable tool that could save the life of the animal during a dangerous encounter with an armed suspect.
The school principal, Karen Kise, praised Ana for her good citizenship and stressed to Ana’s classmates the importance of being a good citizen. Good citizenship is nothing new to those who know Ana. Just before Christmas, Ana worked hard to raise money for her school. For her outstanding efforts, she won a bicycle. But she did not keep it…instead she donated it to a needy child.
After presenting the vest to K9 Officer Robert Nolan for his K9 partner Boton, Ana was presented with a plaque and a letter of appreciation thanking her for her support of the Police Department’s K9 Unit. According to a West Melbourne P.D. press release, the men and women of the West Melbourne Police Department are proud of Ana and very grateful for her hard work and generous donation.
