WHAT IS PROJECT K.I.T.T. ?
Project K.I.T.T., an acronym for K-9's Involved in Targeting Terrorism, is a not-for-profit fund which receives donations for
the purpose of purchasing needed equipment and supplies for Military Working Dog (MWD) teams stationed in Iraq,
Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa, and other areas of the world in response to the war on terror. All funds received are totally
earmarked for the purchase and shipping of these items.
BACKGROUND
Project K.I.T.T. was started by Alan Kalfus, a recently retired Florida police K-9 handler and trainer. Alan retired in 2005
with his then five-year-old K-9 partner, "Kitt".
K-9 "Kitt", a German Shepherd Dog imported from the Czech Republic, was a one-of-a-kind police K-9, having an
excellent disposition and able to get along with everyone, including children and other animals, but was an awesome
working dog as well. In his short career, K-9 "Kitt" was responsible for numerous felony and misdemeanor apprehensions, including many for possession of narcotics. Additionally, K-9 "Kitt" was responsible for the seizure of nearly $100,000.00
in drug money as a result of his narcotic detecting ability.
On January 13, 2009, K-9 "Kitt" passed away suddenly and unexpectedly after
undergoing cancer surgery, at the age of eight
To keep his name and memory alive, Project KITT was initiated.
K-9 "Kitt"
HOW DOES PROJECT KITT WORK?
Alan has been in e-mail contact with MWD handlers in Iraq and Afghanistan and has received lists of needed equipment
and supplies which the military does not provide. Such items as long leads, collars, dog goggles ("Doggle"), dog booties and dog treats are needed, as are various toys, such as tennis balls and "Kongs" used for rewarding the MWD for a task well done. Additionally, MWD handlers that work with explosive detector or mine detector dogs are in need of both red and white marker flags with wire staffs, which are used to mark danger areas, or areas which have been cleared by the MWD for travel.
506 ESFS Military Working Dog Section, Kirkuk Air Force Base, Iraq
HOW CAN YOU ASSIST IN THE PROJECT?
By sending a donation to "Project KITT, at 3238 SW Cohutta Street, Port St. Lucie,
FL 34953-4646. Checks are to be made payable to PROJECT KITT.
NOTE: At this time donations to "Project KITT" are NOT tax deductible.
Additional information on Project Kitt, or a list of currently needed equipment, can be
obtained by contacting Project KITT at the above address, by e-mail at Mine Detecting Dogs
westfork2@netzero.net , or by telephone at 772.336.3093 or 772.201.5747. US Army - 49th MDD
Afghanistan
Project KITT News
SECOND PROJECT KITT BENEFIT HELD AT BAMBOO CAFE, NAPLES, FLORIDA ON FLAG DAY JUNE 14, 2011
NAPLES, Fla. (January 14, 2011) - In honor of Flag Day, Tuesday, June 14, 2011, and Military Working Dogs (MWDs),
Bamboo Café French Home Cooking hosted the second "Canine Companion Dinner" to benefit Project KITT (K-9’s
Involved in Targeting Terrorism).
Prizes were awarded for the most patriotic dog. "FOR FOOTED FRIENDS", a Naples dog supplies and food store,
donated two prizes for the best canine costume, one valued at $150.00 and one at $100.00. Project KITT wishes to thank
Janet and Rose, co-owners of FOR FOOTED FRIENDS, for their generous donations. This year, over $500.00 was
raised for Project KITT from the sale of Project KITT T-shirts, raffles and the sale of the special Project KITT drink.
Project KITT also wishes to again thank Lisa and Phillipe Boet, owners of the Bamboo Cafe in Naples for their hospitality.
To see an entertaining slide series of the 2011 benefit, CLICK HERE , the click on "Start Slideshow" in the
upper right hand corner of the link. Thanks to Gary Iverson for his hard work on the slideshow.
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PROJECT KITT BENEFIT HELD IN NAPLES, FLORIDA IN 2009
On Thursday, July 2, 2009, a benefit was held for Project KITT at the Bamboo Cafe in Naples, Florida. The evening event
included a three-course dinner, a raffle, patriotic bandana sales and a"Most Patriotic Dog" contest. Those attending the
dinner were encouraged to bring their dogs as well, and the restaurant was filled with humans and their canine partners.
Nearly $500.00 was raised at the event for Project KITT. We wish to thank Lisa and Philippe Boet, owners of the Bamboo
Cafe, for their hospitality, and for allowing us to hold the event at their restaurant and Project Kitt board member Linda
Tanner for spearheading it.
Click on the following link for photos of the event:
LIST OF "PROJECT KITT " CONTRIBUTORS (As of December 23, 2011)
Noble and Patty Hendrix - Palm City, FL/Seven Devils, NC
Sue Heys - Berlin Heights, OH
Samantha Mabrouk - Fort Pierce, FL
Joy Annunziato - Boca Raton, FL/Forestport, NY
Karen and Hal Weiner - Oceanside, NY
Mrs. Yvonne L. Clark - Naples, FL
Maria Del Rio Giles - Naples, FL
Linda Tanner/Gary Iverson - Bonita Springs, FL
Sally and John Price - Naples, FL
Donna P. Wilson - Fort Myers, FL
Donald A. Schrauf - Norwalk, OH
Geraldine and Phillip Tafoya - Port Saint Lucie, FL
SSG Amy L. Meyer, US Army (Military Working Dog handler)
Richard and Judy Buttine - Jupiter, FL
Lisa & John Walsh - Bonita Springs, FL
Ms. Dionne Miller - Naples, FL
Helen "Peep" Stevens - Ft. Myers, FL
Bill and Diane Hollister - Bonita Springs, FL
Lisa Beever - North Fort Myers, FL
Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Ford - Naples, FL
Lindsay M. Swab - Auburn, NY
Ladies of the Elks, Lodge # 2742 - North Ft. Myers, FL
Marcella J. Wanagiel - Lakewood, NJ
Bonnie Valvano - North Fort Myers, FL
Mr. & Mrs. Don Cochran - Cape Coral, FL
Ellen M. & Raymond Depelteau - South Hadley, MA
Carol A. Jones - Lee Center, NY
Veterans of Foreign Wars Men's Auxiliary, Post 10127 - North Fort Myers, FL
Catherine & Alan Niemczyk - North Fort Myers, FL
Alain & James Quesnel - South Hadley, MA
Jean & George Sinko - North Fort Myers, FL
Wild Bunch 4-H - Alva, FL
Martha Hammond - North Ft. Myers, FL
Carol Van Vlack - North Fort Myers, FL
Bill & Marilyn Banfield - Cape Coral, FL
Audna J. & Catherine C. Niemczyk - North Fort Myers, FL
Mike & Ruth Rigby - Cape Coral, FL
Colette Johns, Volunteer Specialist, Hope Health Care Services - North Fort Myers, FL
Sandra L. and Alistair A. Potts - North Fort Myers, FL
Brad Keselowski Racing, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Brian and Patricia McHugh - Cape Coral, FL
Elizabeth and James Bunting, Sr. - Naples, FL
Rita L. and Thomas A. Albanese - Apopka, FL
Marlene F. and Richard J. Merfeld - Cape Coral, FL
Lisa and Joe Crouch - Cape Coral, FL
Eastside Animal Hospital - Ft. Myers, FL
Michael and Janet Johnson - Bonita Springs, FL
Julie A. Moore - North Fort Myers, FL
Phyllis & Marco Beja - Sunrise, FL
Barbara Wood - Punta Gorda, FL/Lancaster, VA
THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAVE GREATLY ASSISTED "PROJECT KITT" BY SOLICITING FOR
DONATIONS, HEADING UP FUND RAISING EVENTS AND LOCATING MILITARY WORKING DOG
UNITS FOR "PROJECT KITT" TO ASSIST:
Linda Tanner (Board Member - Project KITT) - Bonita Springs, FL
Martha Hammond - North Fort Myers, FL
Natasha Kloeker - Seoul, South Korea
