SAXONBURG — A spaghetti dinner to benefit the borough police department will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Hotel Saxonburg.

The fundraiser will help provide money for bulletproof vests and other safety equipment. Organizer Ashley Ferree said officer safety is important.

“I’m blown away that they are asked to do something that is so (dangerous), but they don’t always have safety equipment provided,” Ferree, 21, said.

Saxonburg Mayor Pam Bauman, who oversees the police department, said she was having breakfast with Ferree and Ferree’s mother a few months ago, and they were discussing the police department and how little money the borough actually has to fund it.

Ferree asked Bauman if she could hold a fundraiser, but Bauman said, as mayor, she is not allowed to.

So, Ferree decided to do it.

“She’s a lovely, lovely young lady who has a heart of gold,” Bauman said.

She said the department has this equipment, but some of it is outdated.

“They have shelf life like anything,” Bauman said.

Ferree’s mother owns the Hotel Saxonburg so Ferree felt that would be the ideal location for it.

Ferree, who currently attends Roanoke College in Virginia, said she hopes to sell 500 dinners. A few years ago, Ferree hosted a fundraiser for a school in Belize and sold about 400 dinners for that.

The fundraiser also will include a silent auction of prize baskets, and Ferree said she is seeking donations of complete baskets to raffle. She also encourages direct donations to the police department for people who are unable to attend.

The cost to attend is $10. Takeout will be available.

Attendees can buy tickets at the door or in advance at the Hotel Saxonburg. For information, call Ferree at 412-527-1673.