Supporting those
who keep our communities safe

Emergency Response Personnel

The Hometown Foundation, Inc. recognizes that our emergency response personnel dedicate their lives and time to keeping our communities safe daily. They are always there when we need them most, which is why it is a part of our mission to give back to them. As a Foundation, we fully support our first responders through monetary donations as well as supplying necessary equipment, training, attire, Police K-9s, and more. The Foundation provides educational programs and training opportunities for police and firefighters across the country through our expositions and programs. On-site training is provided in our warehouses and company-owned facilities for emergency response personnel to utilize and train at their convenience.

Our Programs

Police K-9 Program
Police K-9 Program

Our Police K-9 Program donates fully equipped Police K-9s and training to local and state departments across the country. 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.

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.

Police K-9 Exposition and Challenge
Project Blue Paw
Project Blue Paw

Our Project Blue Paw program strives to educate youth in various communities, including those with intellectual 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.

Police K-9 Training Facility
K-9 Awareness Retailer Program
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.

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.

Firefighters Chili Cook-Off
Hometown Heroes Grant Giveaway
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.

Our Events

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!

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.

Hearts & Paws Gala
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.

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.

A Hero's Ride
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.

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.

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.

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.

Puerto Vallarta Fundraisers for local K-9 Units
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.

American Hero Benefit Dinner