Mission City Community Fund selects Nonprofit of the Year, the Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation

Santa Clara, Calif. – 10/01/2019 – Mission City Community Fund will introduce the Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation as their Nonprofit of the Year at the annual Charity Auction Dinner Dance on November 2, 2019. The Nonprofit of the Year represents outstanding accomplishments by a nonprofit organization using their programs and services to enrich the lives of local residents in Silicon Valley. Funds raised will help support the Foundation which was selected based on the following:

• Reputation for leadership excellence within the nonprofit and local communities
• Successful achievement within our Five Areas of Giving
• Consistent performance and high ethical standards for management

“We are deeply honored to recognize Cheryl Walsh and Sean’s K-9s for their extraordinary dedication to public safety across the country,” says Police Chief and MCCF Board Member Mike Sellers. “The Santa Clara Police Department has received five highly-trained dogs with help from the Foundation and as an explorer of ours, Sean’s dream thrives through the connection and passion he shared with us.”

The Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation

The Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation was founded on the dream of California National Guard Military Police Specialist ¡V Sean Walsh. Sean aspired to be a police officer and dreamt of being a K-9 handler. He was not able to live his dream, losing his life while serving in Afghanistan at only 21 years old. Established in Sean’s honor, “Sean’s K-9s” provides grants to departments for police dogs, training or equipment. They received their non-profit status in March 2012. The first donation started with the Santa Clara Police Department in April 2012, where Sean served as an Explorer Cadet. Although anchored in Santa Clara County, their most recent count reflects grants that have aided in the purchase of 28 four-legged officers from coast to coast. They have provided an additional 7 grants for equipment or training. Sean’s K-9s was recently named the Official Non-Profit of the Santa Clara Police Department K-9 Unit and also works closely with the Santa Clara County Sheriff Department K-9 Unit, assisting them with needs for their K-9 as well. In addition to their patrol work many dogs are specially trained for scent detection. Several of the K-9s donated by Sean’s K-9s provide specialized skills at Levi’s Stadium, watch over students at college campuses & their events, participate in community service, outreach to schools, and visiting children in hospitals. Through Sean’s dream, thousands of people are able to benefit from the value a K-9 brings to their Police Department and Community. To learn more visit: www.seansK9s.org.

About Mission City Community Fund

Mission City Community Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 1986 and has provided over $3 million in local grants focused on Five Areas of Giving: Education, Social Services, Health Care, Theater and the Arts, and the Environment. Masquerade will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on November 2, 2019. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for this memorable evening of music, live & silent auctions, community awards and dinner as a fundraiser to establish grants for local nonprofits.