Community storms in with $40K for Plover K9 program
By Brandi Makuski
PLOVER — A powerful thunderstorm may have cut the inaugural K9 Karma Classic Golf Outing short on June 23, but it didn’t stop the community from rallying together — raising a staggering $40,000 for the Plover Police Department’s K9 program.
Held at the Stevens Point Country Club on Monday, the event sold out in a record three weeks with 148 golfers. All teams showed up and completed several holes before lightning and rain forced organizers to cancel the remainder of play.
“This is how much this community gives us, how much they love being here and supporting their own communities,” said Plover Officer Seth Pionke. “They were soaked. They had to go home and change. They let their dog go outside. And they came back; they still showed up.”
Supporters regrouped at Springville Sports Bar — dubbed the “19th hole” — where roughly 200 people gathered for dinner, raffles, and games. Volunteers quickly relocated equipment and supplies to the bar to keep the fundraiser going.
Leading the charge was Sarah Smith, co-owner of Section 715 and the driving force behind the event’s success.
“Sarah is the bulldog,” said Capt. Brent Thauer. “She did everything. We never could’ve pulled this off without her.”
Smith organized the outing alongside a 10-person committee of volunteers, including business partner and finance Chris Adams and bar owners Chris and Tammy Brooks. Despite the weather, Smith said the energy and support made it clear the event would return.
“We absolutely will be making this an annual event,” she said. “Even though the weather played a factor, we pivoted well, and that’s a testament to how the Plover Police Department works — and how this community comes together.”
As the evening unfolded, Chris Brooks took the stage to announce the event had raised about $27,000. That announcement brought tears to the eyes of those involved in planning the event, but the night wasn’t over.
Brooks told the crowd he wasn’t satisfied with that total.
“Our goal was $20,000 — and we hit $27,000,” Brooks said. “But I want to give Chief [Ryan] Fox and Officer [Jeremy] Anderson a check for $30,000.”
Brooks pledged $200 from his own pocket and called on others to match him. Hands shot into the air as business owners and residents rushed forward with cash. By the end of the night, the total soared to $40,000 — thanks in large part to an $8,000 check written on the spot by Jerry King and his family.
“If you can’t be proud of the community you live in after seeing this, I don’t know what else to say,” Brooks said.
Police Chief Ryan Fox called the show of support “unbelievable.”
“Just what these guys did… the whole committee — Plover proud,” Fox said. “The day was cut short, but it was still a huge success.”
Thauer added that nearly every golfer returned to Springville after the rain to take part in the festivities — a testament, he said, to the event’s momentum.
“Even with the weather ruining the golf portion, it’s still a massive win,” he said. “Sponsors signed on fast, golfers signed up in a month, and people stuck around. That tells me this is going to grow year after year.”
The K9 Karma Classic was the first fundraiser of its kind for the Plover Police Department. Funds raised will support the department’s K9 program, which includes Karma, a Belgian Malinois trained in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery, and suspect apprehension. Karma is partnered with Officer Jeremy Anderson and joined the department in 2021.
Plans for the 2026 K9 Karma Classic are already in motion.