DEFOREST, Wis. — Yahara Elementary School third-grader Taya Paulson and her brother Turner Paulson made a donation to a police foundation in hopes to better their community.

Taya and Turner Paulson made $255 in lemonade stand sales. They donated their profits to the DeForest Police Foundation.

“This is a challenge to the community to follow the lead of an enterprising young girl,” Bill Ridgely, president of the DeForest Police Foundation, said. The foundation operates independently of the DeForest Police Department. However, the foundation works closely with Police Chief James Olson.

Taya Paulson said she would like the money to be used to help the police department start a K-9 unit.

It’s a start to a long road.

The police department’s first project request from the foundation was for funding for a single K-9 team. Starting an inaugural K-9 unit would cost about $100,000.

“Taya and her brother Turner have shown selflessness and bravery by making this donation. They are not only trying to help their police department, but are also helping their community. They are truly an inspiration,” Olson said.

General-purpose revenue is not currently used for K-9 unit funding. Donations made for the K-9 team will be designated to purchase a dog, train a dog and their handler, purchase a vehicle with specialized equipment to keep the dog safe — both in various weather conditions and during transportation to perform their duties — and buy other specialized equipment and supplies needed for the program.