K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki golf outing Saturday likely last one; public craft show offered

The K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki golf outing is sold out Saturday at the Hill Crest Country Club but a large vendor craft show with high-end raffle baskets will be open to the public at the club.

Kotecki was a Lower Burrell patrolman and K-9 officer who was ambushed and murdered by a fugitive in 2011.

The K9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Scholarship Fund was set up as a nonprofit to raise and distribute money for about nine scholarships annually for post-high school training and education for students attending Burrell, Valley and Kiski high schools.

The annual golf outing has been a primary source of fundraising.

Organizers Audra Flemm and Shasta Meixelsberger planned to cap their fundraisers at 10 years when they started. They have been setting aside money to pay for future scholarships for years to come.

“We’re overwhelmed by the support over the past 10 years,” Meixelsberger said. “It’s amazing people are still coming to the outing. We’ve sold out every year, but we were amazed how quickly it sold out this year.”

By the end of May, all 36 foursome slots for the golf outing were sold out. That’s the earliest the outing ever sold out.

But the public can still attend the event by visiting the country club’s ballroom and Oak Room where 22 vendors will sell their wares.

Items for sale include jewelry, handmade crafts, soy candles, paintings, bicycle art, hand-crafted wood products, wreaths, wine charms, embroidered gifts, blacksmith items and more. Culinary specialties will be available including pierogies and Aunt Kellie’s cookies.

The Baskets for the Blue Raffle includes over 100 raffle baskets. There are some high-end baskets such as a Teddy Blueger signed Penguins jersey and former Pittsburgh Steelers Jerome Bettis signed football and helmet.

Special commemorative T-shirts will be for sale as well.