Chief Mark Zimmerman announces that the North Reading Police Department is once again participating in the Home Base No Shave initiative to benefit veterans and their families.

Officers can be exempted from the North Reading Police Department’s facial hair restrictions during the month of November once they donate $100 to Home Base. Officers must also work to raise awareness in support of Home Base’s mission of assisting veterans and their families in healing from invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

“The North Reading Police Department is proud to once again participate in assisting this great cause,” said Chief Zimmerman. “Home Base’s mission is of critical importance as we seek to take care of our veterans and their families.”

Home Base No Shave, which was formerly known as No Shave November, was created in 2015. It has raised more than $1.4 million to date to fund critical mental health and brain injury care. More than 130 police departments across the country, representing more than 2,500 first responders, have participated.

To contribute to Home Base No Shave directly on behalf of North Reading Police, click here.

About Home Base:

Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital initiative, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for veterans of all eras, service members, military families and families of fallen soldiers through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research.

Since its inception, Home Base has provided care and support to more than 21,000 veterans and family members and trained more than 73,000 clinicians, educators, first responders and community members — all at no cost to those individuals.

For more information, visit www.homebase.org.