Braintree Police Selling Patches For Autism Awareness

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree Police Department in partnership with Copper City Expresso will raise for autism awareness by selling special police patches. The fundraiser starts in April and coincides with National Autism Awareness month.

The patches are $10 each, and all of the proceeds from the patch sales will go directly to the Braintree Special Needs Recreation Program, Super Saturdays.

This is Braintree Police Department's first year selling autism awareness patches during National Autism Awareness Month. The project is spearheaded by Sgt. Sean McConville and Officer Paul Zaniboni, both of whom have personal connections to autism. Sgt. McConville and Officer Zaniboni chose to raise funds for Super Saturdays due to its service to the Braintree community.

"Many people’s lives are affected by autism and we’re happy to be involved in raising awareness for this disorder," Chief Mark Dubois said . "I'm very proud of Sgt. McConville and Officer Zaniboni's dedication to the cause and the rest of the department's involvement. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Super Saturdays to support such a great cause and we encourage the entire community to join us and purchase a patch."

Autism patches will be available at the Braintree Police Department, 282 Union St., and Copper City Espresso at the Canton Junction MBTA Station in Canton.

Patches can be purchased with checks or money orders and should be made payable to Braintree Police Officers Association. Cash will also be accepted.

Residents who have purchased the patches are urged to take pictures of them, especially if they travel outside of town, and share them on social media. Residents can tag the Braintree Police Department on Facebook and Twitter, @braintreepolice.

Some officers from the Braintree Police Department will also be wearing the autism patches on their uniforms to raise awareness during the month of April.

For more information on the project, contact Officer Paul Zaniboni at the Braintree Police Department at pzanboni@braintreema.gov.