Braintree Rotary to Fund Locator Bracelets for Residents With Autism, Alzheimer’s

Members of the will be at the Farmers Market at this Saturday to spread awareness about a new program that aims to fund 10 SafetyNet bracelets for people in Braintree with autism and Alzheimer’s.

Braintree has had access to the Norfolk County Sheriff Office's Project Lifesaver for several years, outgoing Rotary President Joanne Tully said, "but because there is no funding for 'advertising' it is one of the best kept secrets in town."

The program involves setting up people who have a tendency to wander away and become lost with SafetyNet bracelets from the company LoJack. 

"Finding them quickly is the key, especially in our region with its harsh New England winters and fast-changing weather throughout the year," Sheriff Bellotti said in a press release. "In each and every search situation that we’ve been involved in since teaming up with Project Lifesaver in 2004, the person has been found in 30 minutes or less."

The Rotary Club, which is focused on service projects in Braintree and abroad, was performing a "needs assessment" involving separate programs for autism and alzheimer's, Tully said in an email. Research by Rotary member and School Committee Chair Shannon Hume brought both ideas together.

A LoJack representative then told Rotary that there is interest in the bracelets, but some people cannot afford the devices. "That is when we decided to purchase 10 bracelets by funding a year’s worth of monitoring and requesting that they be distributed to 5 children and 5 adult residents of Braintree," Tully said.

SafetyNet/LoJack employees provide a confidential needs assessment for potential users and then pass the financial assistance request to the Rotary Club.

The group plans to partner with the sheriff's office and the to spread awareness. Saturday's Farmers Market appearance is the first such effort and will include fundraising to begin a sustainable fund to support the use of the 10 bracelets, Tully said. In addition, an information night will be held in the fall and a town-wide fundraising event is also planned.

If anyone would like to contribute, but is not able to make it to the Farmers Market, they can send a check, payable to “Braintree Rotary Foundation – SafetyNet Fund” to PO Box 850082, Braintree, MA 02185-0082. 

There is also an online donation tab at www.braintreerotaryclub.org.