SWAMPSCOTT — The Fire Department is honoring Autism Acceptance Month by selling custom T-shirts. 50% of proceeds from the sales will be donated to the national nonprofit Autism Speaks.
The promotion comes on the heels of the department launching its online apparel store in March. Each shirt has a “Swampscott Fire and Rescue” logo with a ribbon commonly associated with autism awareness in the center. The back reads “Swampscott Fire,” with the latter word designed in a multi-colored puzzle pattern, another symbol representing the cause.
Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician Brittany Coppinger was a driving force behind the initiative. Before joining the Fire Department, Coppinger worked at Swampscott High School’s Discovery Learning Center, which caters to students with autism and other special needs. She also has experience coaching Unified Basketball at the high school. Through a partnership with the Special Olympics, the program gives students of various abilities opportunities to compete.
“It’s a little close to my heart, personally,” Coppinger said.
Short-sleeve T-shirts are currently selling at $25 each, while long-sleeves are available for $35. According to Coppinger, the Fire Department has raised more than $2,000 in sales thus far.
Autism Speaks is the country’s largest autism research organization. It was founded in 2005 by former NBC Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright and his wife, Suzanne.
“They seemed to be the most reputable of all my research,” Coppinger said. “They seem to use a lot of their money for the good.”
Coppinger and her peers have plans to fundraise for other causes through T-shirt sales in the future.
“Cancer, ALS, muscular dystrophy, and MS,” Coppinger said. “There are a bunch of ideas that the guys have come up with.”
