K-9 body armor fundraiser set in Youngstown

Youngstown’s Penguin City Brewing will be the site of a fundraiser to equip police K-9s in Mahoning and Trumbull counties with protective body armor.

The June 21 event, organized by Aunt Mimi’s Lemonade Stand and held in memory of Amy Kenyon-Bowman, aims to secure bulletproof vests for K-9 officers, with 17 requests currently pending.

The fundraiser is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. at Penguin City Brewing Company, 460 E. Federal St. It will feature demonstrations by K-9 teams showcasing their abilities in drug detection, apprehension, explosive detection, and electronics detection. The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office Drone Unit and SWAT trucks will also be on display.

The "What's Grandpa Smokin'" food truck will be on site.

Melissa Kenyon, organizer of the event, said three vests have already been secured through donations, but more are needed. Each vest costs approximately $1,100, with ballistic protection adding to the price.

Several police departments have confirmed their participation through demonstrations, information tables, or by helping.

For those unable to attend, donations can be made via Venmo to @Melissa-Kenyon-5 or PayPal to MKenyon1982@gmail.com. All funds collected will be used to purchase the vests.

In previous years, Aunt Mimi's Lemonade Stand supported the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, the Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation, and Veterans Outreach.

The fundraisers are held in memory of Girard High School graduate Amy Marie Kenyon Bowman, who died July 16, 2022, at age 47.