Reading — Deputy Chief David Clark is pleased to announce that the Reading Police Department will be taking part in the Home Base No Shave fundraiser next month.
The campaign allows officers to donate or raise $100 to forego facial hair restrictions during the month of November as a way to support Home Base’s mission to help veterans and their families heal from invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.
“The Reading Police Department and members of the Reading community have been very generous in supporting this important fundraiser in the past,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “We look forward to another strong year this year, and already have multiple officers signed up to participate.”
As of Wednesday, Oct. 23, the department has already raised more than two-thirds of its $3,000 goal, and people can donate by visiting the Reading Police page on the Home Base website.
Two dozen Reading officers took part in the event last year, with several community members making donations as well.
As part of Home Base No Shave, which was formerly known as No Shave November, more than 100 New England Departments raised over $273,000 last year. Since its inception in 2015, the campaign has raised over $466,000 to fund critical mental health and brain injury care for our nation’s wounded and injured service members and their families.
This year, Home Base will link its efforts to a Statewide Veteran Suicide Prevention Campaign, led by Governor Charlie Baker. This year’s campaign will culminate with a Shave-Off celebration at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Dec. 4 to recognize the tremendous efforts by all of the participants throughout the month of November.
About Home Base:
Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for veterans of all eras, service members, military families and families of fallen soldiers through world-class clinical care, wellness, education, and research.
Since its inception, Home Base has provided care and support to more than 21,000 veterans and family members and trained more than 73,000 clinicians, educators, first responders, and community members – all at no cost to those individuals.
For more information, visit www.homebase.org.