City Times Staff

Art Greco’s ninth grade World of Business class finally met the object behind their semester fundraiser — one of two Portage Co. K-9 units on Wednesday.

Deputy John White and his K-9 partner Lady arranged a surprise visit to the Ben Franklin students, who have chosen the county’s K-9 program as their beneficiary for a future fundraising event.

“We were asked at the beginning of the semester if we wanted to have an adventure or go by the book,” said Mackenzie Lavin, 14. “We said we wanted an adventure.”

The students were given a choice at the semester’s beginning to either create a for-profit business model, or a nonprofit organization and then raise funds for an area charity. The students chose the latter, and after a community-wide vote set their sights on raising funds to help support the K-9 program.

Lavin said the students have a goal of $1,500 but hope to surpass that, as raising more money will force teacher Art Greco to shave his head.

The students are finalizing their research and learning business procedures before seeking funds from the community.