Framingham PD, No Longer Furry, Recognized for Helping Veterans

The Framingham Police Department was recognized Monday for raising money for a veterans fund during their wildly successful, wildly furry No-Shave November.

How do you quantify successful? How about $7,000 raised for Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Mass. General Hospital Program aiming to heal invisible wounds for post-9/11 vets, service members, and their families. That was second highest total in the state behind only the MBTA, according to Officer David Studley, who helped spearhead the Framingham effort.

And how do you quantify furry? Well for Studley and presumably some other boys in blue, with a touch more gray than they remember from their days before being on the force.

"The guy in the mirror looked a bit more gray than in years past," Studley said.

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Police policy from departments around the nation usually dictates no or limited facial hair. So the officers really enjoyed letting loose for a good cause.

"It's a cool concept," Studley said. "It's kind of unique to a police department because of our facial hair policy."

Studley said the charity appeals to police and fire departments which employ a large amount of veterans. More than 60 people in the Framingham Police Department took part.

"We want to help our fellow veterans. It's kind of a treat."

Home Base’s Veterans Outreach Coordinator John Quinn said the following while presenting the Framingham Police Department with a plaque of recognition:

“The No-Shave November fundraiser is one of the many ways the Framingham Police Department has shown its commitment to its military community. Every day, Home Base is providing life-changing mental health care and support to veterans, service members, and their families. All care at Home Base is provided at no cost, but we are only able to do this because of people who take up this cause and fundraise, like the Framingham Police Department has done. Too often, police departments are not recognized for the outstanding commitment and service they bring to their respective communities. What better way to shed light on their generosity and potential personal connections to the cause that by personally thanking them at their headquarters?”

Courtesy photo: John Quinn of Home Base Presents Lt. Downing a letter of recognition this morning at Police Headquarters.