NORTH READING — The North Reading Police Department will participate in several Home Base Veteran and Family Care suicide prevention fundraising initiatives beginning this month.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, which takes place throughout September, Home Base launched “Save a Life September,” a campaign aimed to increase awareness and support for Military-connected and first-responder suicide prevention.
During Save a Life September, first responders are encouraged to participate in fundraising events and initiatives.
The North Reading Police Department will be participating in the 10th Annual Home Base No Shave initiative. From September to November, the Department will lift its facial hair policy, allowing participating officers to grow out their facial hair. In order to participate, officers must make a $100 pledge to Home Base.
Officers can also participate in the Home Base push-up challenge, where they pledge $25 and must complete 20 push-ups each day for the month of September.
“Veteran and first responder suicides are unfortunately common tragedies,” said Police Chief Mark Zimmerman. “We hope that by participating in these initiatives we are able to evoke conversation, raise awareness, and break the stigma associated with post-traumatic stress and other invisible wounds of war for our veterans.”
Home Base is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through direct clinical care, wellness, education and research. Since 2009, the organization has served over 35,000 veterans and their family members and has trained over 85,000 clinicians nationwide.
To learn more about Home Base, visit homebase.org.
