Robbinsville’s K-9 Quori is getting a new protective vest thanks to the generosity of a 7-year-old girl from Brick Township.
Morgan Blann wants to be a K-9 handler when she grows up, but she isn’t waiting until she’s older to serve and protect. Instead of asking for birthday gifts this year, Morgan asked her friends and family to donate money toward buying Quori a new protective vest. Her mom, Lauren Blann, set up a fundraising page on Razoo, and they hit their $1,020 goal in under 48 hours.
K-9 Handler Det. Scott Kivet said Quori is one of the busiest narcotics detection dogs in our area, and he was overjoyed when Lt. William Swanhart told him about Morgan’s fundraiser. Quori’s old vest was a hand-me-down from a retired K-9 in a different police department, and Kivet said this new vest will be specially made to fit and protect Quori.
Blann is unsure what exactly made her daughter fall in love with the idea of being a K-9 handler; No one in their family works in law enforcement. However, she wasn’t surprised that Morgan used her birthday as an opportunity to give back to others.
“She’s a good kid,” Blann said. “She cares a lot about others, and she really wanted to help out with Quori.”
Morgan first became interested in law enforcement about a year ago after an incident at the Point Pleasant boardwalk. Morgan saw K-9s and their officers working, and she’s hardly stopped talking about them since. Blann said when Morgan sees police officers, she reacts as if she’s seeing a famous singer or athlete.
“Morgan thinks she’s meeting rock stars,” Blann said. “She stands back in awe. She has a lot of respect for them.”
Morgan takes pictures with police officers whenever possible, and has been collecting police patches from across the country. Blann said she currently has about 30 to 40 patches on a board, some from departments as far away as Alaska.
Kivet said it’s great to see someone so young support police officers, especially in today’s political climate.
“Some people just don’t have respect for officers, whether they’re two-legged or four-legged,” Kivet said.
When Morgan told her mom she wanted to donate a vest to a K-9 for her birthday, Blann began doing some research into different organizations. She discovered Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., an organization that provides bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement.
As Vested Interest in K9s began searching for a local dog in need of a vest, Blann told some parents on Morgan’s tee ball team about her daughter’s birthday wish. One of the parents happened to be Lt. Swanhart, who told Blann about Quori.
Morgan’s fundraising goal was $1,020, and they raised a total of $1,795. The extra money will go toward another K-9’s vest through Vested Interest in K9s.
For Morgan, the fundraiser made this her “best birthday ever.” For the Robbinsville Police Department, this donation will be an invaluable tool to help keep their four legged partner safe.
Morgan Blann, a 7-year-old from Brick Township, wants to be a K-9 handler when she grows up. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Blann.),
