The Giving Tree

 

Protect-A-Dog and the Penny Princess

One 13-year-old girl in California proves that collecting change makes a lot of sense. Six years ago, Alyssa Mayorga began collecting pennies that she found on the street and around her house. She knew that by saving the pennies, the money would add up. Alyssa used the money to buy Christmas presents for kids at Orangewood Children’s Center in California.

She decided one day, after learning about a police dog killed in action, to raise money to buy bulletproof vests for the police dogs. Alyssa’s Uncle Rudy helped her get started with her project. Rudy Mayorga, a Santa Ana policeman, helped her get in touch with police-dog training facilities. Alyssa also put cans in stores and offices around her neighborhood so people could donate to her cause, from pennies to large dollar amounts. Some people have donated enough to cover the entire cost of a vest!

Word quickly spread that Alyssa was raising money for police dog vests. Officers would approach Alyssa at dog shows and ask about receiving vests for their police dogs. Alyssa would add their names to a list of police dogs needing vests.

Since starting her project, now called Protect-a-Dog, Alyssa is now known as the Penny Princess, and she has helped donate more than 55 bulletproof vests to dozens of agencies across the United States. Alyssa works with companies like U.S. Armor Corp. in Santa Fe Springs to purchase bulletproof vests at a discount, reducing the cost of the expensive vests to approximately $400.

With your help, Alyssa can continue to protect police dogs. If you would like to support Alyssa’s cause or if you’re a law enforcement officer wanting a vest for a police dog, you may visit her Web site at www.Protect-a-Dog.com for more information.