For Immediate Release: November 2, 2017
Media Contact:
Cassandra Falone, Home Base
P: (617) 643-3826 | C: (339) 222-9290
Newburyport Police Department Among 46 Massachusetts Police Departments to Participate in
“No-Shave November” Campaign to Support Veterans, Military Families
Monies raised will support Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program.
(BOSTON, MA) – As we make our way into November, don’t be surprised if your local police officers look like they haven’t shaved in weeks. For the privilege of growing out their facial hair, officers from the Newburyport Police Department are paying up and participating in No-Shave November in support of Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program.
Traditionally, police departments have a grooming policy where officers must remain clean-shaven. However, for the next 30 days, police officers from 46 Police Departments will be permitted to grow beards and goatees in exchange for donating $100 to Home Base and their mission to help veterans and military families heal from invisible wounds — like traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder — regardless of their financial means or discharge status.
The movement is spearheaded by MBTA Transit Officer, Army Veteran, and Purple Heart Recipient Kurt Power who sought care for his own invisible wounds at Home Base. “The only wish I have is that we give the gift of hope, hope to all the veterans that don’t believe reintegration is possible. Hope to the approximately 20 veterans a day that may give up tomorrow,” Power says. “If I can convince just one person who needs help to listen to me and put their trust in the treatment at Home Base, this will all be worth it.”
This month, Kurt and his fellow first responders at Newburyport Police Department will go beyond the badge to not only help raise money for a program that is changing the lives of Veterans and their families, but to evoke conversation, raise awareness and break the stigma associated with getting care.
Lt. Matthew Simons, a Marine Corps veteran, advocated for Newburyport Police Department to participate in No-Shave November. Lt. Simons said, “More than 1/3 of our police department personnel is comprised of military veterans, this was a no-brainer for us. I’m grateful to City Marshal Mark Murray for allowing us to participate in a campaign that directly supports veterans.”
To date, the first responder No-Shave November campaign has raised $75,000 for Home Base. Newburyport Police Department, has a goal of $3000 and are asking community members, business owners, and family members to join the cause and donate.
To support Newburyport Police Department’s No-Shave November fundraising efforts, click here.
For more information about Home Base and No-Shave November, click here.
About Home Base: Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for Veterans, Service Members and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research. As a National Center of Excellence, Home Base operates the largest private-sector clinic in the nation devoted to healing invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, co-occurring substance use disorder, military sexual trauma and family relationship challenges. Since its inception, Home Base has served more than 11,000 Veterans and Family Members with care and support, trained more than 45,000 clinicians, educators and community members nationally and remains at the forefront of discovering new treatments– ensuring a brighter future for the 21st century Warrior and Military Family.
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