For Immediate Release

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Office: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

NEMLEC Foundation Donates $5,000 for Sean Collier Memorial Playground

TEWKSBURY – The NEMLEC Police Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has donated a portion of its annual fundraising proceeds to the Sean Collier Memorial Playground at a fundraising event on Friday, Sept. 25.

Where Angels Play Foundation, a non-profit organization that builds playgrounds in memory of fallen heroes,

built the playground at Silver Lake in Wilmington in memory of Collier, a former MIT Police Officer who was killed during the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013.

The fundraiser was held at the Tewksbury Lodge of Elks, where Vice Chairman of the NEMLEC Foundation, Chief David Scott, presented a check for $5,000 to William Lavin, Founder of Where Angels Play.

“Officer Sean Collier’s death was devastating to so many communities, especially his hometown of Wilmington,” Chief Scott said. “We are honored to support this playground to keep his memory alive and recognize the ultimate sacrifice he made.”

The Sean Collier Memorial Playground officially opened this morning following a ribbon cutting ceremony at Silver Lake in Wilmington. Playground equipment pays tribute to law enforcement officers, specifically Collier, whose MIT Police Badge is displayed prominently as part of the design. Artwork by Officer Collier’s niece and nephew is also featured on the equipment.

“Law enforcement personnel put their lives on the line every day protecting their communities and it’s tragic to see a life taken at such a young age,” said NEMLEC Foundation Coordinator Sharon Crowley. “The NEMLEC Foundation is proud to support an endeavor that ensures Sean Collier’s memory will never be overshadowed by the horrific events of that day.”

The NEMLEC Police Foundation provides training and education to police in Northeastern Massachusetts. Through its annual Golf Tournament and other fundraisers, the Foundation has been able to support a variety of charitable causes over the years in addition to providing vital training programs to hundreds of police officers in Middlesex and Essex counties.

About the NEMLEC Police Foundation:
The NEMLEC Police Foundation, Inc. exists to promote and pursue training, education, research, projects, and programs that benefit municipal police agencies and their communities in Northeastern Massachusetts. The foundation promotes the public’s understanding of their police departments. It receives gifts, contributions, and grants from individual benefactors or private organizations and distributes those gifts to benefit The North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and its cities and towns.

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