Penn-Trafford senior linebacker Jack Jollie wanted to do more than just play football for his senior season. 

     For each tackle he made during the football season, he raised funds to purchase bulletproof vests for the local police departments. 

     Jollie said he got the idea around the summertime when there was a lot of talk around the country about defunding the police. So instead, he wanted to do something to honor them.

     ¨My purpose was to raise awareness for our local law enforcement, and in any way I could help keep them safe. That is where tackles for the vests was born,¨ said Jollie.

     Jollie created a website where people could either donate per tackle or do a one time donation.  

     Each police vest costs approximately $1,000. With 105 tackles and over 175 pledges, he was able to raise $33,280 for local departments.

    Penn Township police officer Blake Danowski expressed how the ballistic vests are lifesaving to law enforcement. 

    ¨It is hard to quantify how important an item is that markedly increases your chances of surviving a deadly force encounter,¨ said Danowski. 

     With the vests expiring five years from the date of manufacture, it is important that police departments save a budget for the vests. 

     Jollie’s fundraiser made it possible to allow the local departments’ budget open up in other areas that can make their department stronger, Danowski explained.

     ¨When you are running on such a tight budget every extra penny is essential,¨ said Danowski. ¨It’s incredible what such a seemingly simple idea amounted to and I can promise that each department that receives funding from this is going to be grateful¨. 

     Jollie expressed how it was an honor to represent the Penn-Trafford football team and community through this fundraiser. He also would like to thank everyone who donated. 

    The vests will be purchased on a need basis, and the communities of Penn Township, Manor Borough, and Trafford Borough will be well funded on police vests.