East Providence Fire Raises Nearly $2,000 For Autism Project

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The East Providence Fire Department raised nearly $2,000 selling special Autism Awareness patches and stickers last month to benefit The Autism Project.

The department sold almost 250 patches and stickers for the project that is a collaboration of parents, professionals and community members and provides support, training and programming that is accessible to all Rhode Island children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

"The Autism Project is so grateful to the East Providence Fire Department and all of the first responders," said Kristen Steiner, senior development manager at The Autism Project. "The EPFD has gone above and beyond to support the local community and The Autism Project."

East Providence Fire Lt. Carl Godfrin designed the Autism fire patch and sticker. Patches were shipped to collectors as far away as Ireland, Berlin and the United Kingdom.

"Our first responders are true servants of our community," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. "I applaud their professionalism and their demonstration of great stewardship, not only in our community, but beyond our city borders."

If someone is interested in purchasing any of the remaining patches or stickers, please contact Lt. Godfrin at cgodfrin@eastprovidenceri.gov.

"The Autism Project has offered training to public safety to assist us in dealing with those affected by autism during an emergency, as well as other related services," Godfrin said. "I felt I needed to somehow give back and I have always had a liking to unique duty patches."