LYNN — Lynn Police officers have donated $2,500 to the School Department for its COACH program, which provides a free, appropriate public education for children on the autism spectrum.
Police Lt. Larry Wentzell and Officers Taylor Kulakowski and Mike Economou worked together to design a Lynn Police Autism patch after Wentzell attended an event at Boston College, hosted by the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, that discussed the Police Autism Program that officers around the country participate in.
The officers began selling the patches to raise “awareness, acceptance and tolerance” of autism, which is what is written on the patch.
All of the proceeds from the patches are being split between the Lynn Public Schools’ Creating Opportunities for Autistic Children (COACH) program and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.
With April being Autism Awareness Month, the officers donated the first check, totaling $2,500, to the School Committee last week and will be donating another $2,500 to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.
“There’s a saying in the autism community, ‘different, not less,’” Wentzell said. “It would be great if people take an opportunity to learn more about autism and what this phrase really means. Separate myth from fact. It’s not just one month.”
To continue raising awareness about autism, the officers are hoping to keep the sale of this patch as an annual thing, donating every April to the two causes.
“We’re very happy to be able to partner with the Lynn Public Schools in this effort and hope to continue it,” Wentzell said. “The LPS Special Education Department and the COACH program in particular do great work.”
The patches are made by Simons Uniforms in Lynn because Wentzell said he wanted to keep this local, donating to local charities and supporting a small business.
For those interested in purchasing a patch, email [email protected]. Patches can be purchased at any time as they are being made as they are sold.
