April is Autism Awareness month. During the month of April, North Hudson (NJ) Firefighters Union representative Salvatore DeGennaro raised $2,000 with the assistance of other firefighters and fire officers by selling specially designed Autism Awareness Firefighter shirts. All proceeds were donated to Spectrum Works out of Secaucus, New Jersey.
Spectrum Works is a nonprofit social enterprise located in Secaucus that is dedicated to changing the narrative of widespread unemployment for young adults with autism. Spectrum Works is unique in that it partners with businesses to integrate individuals with autism into their workforce. This gives individuals with autism the opportunity to demonstrate their potential and, at the same time, provide companies with a new source of talent. Each employee earns a competitive wage while working alongside those without autism.
“IAFF Local 3950, North Hudson Firefighters Association & IAFF Local 3951, North Hudson Fire Officers Association are Labor Unions that collectively bargain for livable wages and safe working conditions for its members that proudly protect the towns of Guttenberg, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken & West New York NJ. Firefighters always support important initiatives like Autism Awareness month or Breast Cancer Awareness Month. When Brother DeGennaro approached us with Spectrum Works, members of both Unions were proud to show their support,” Firefighters Union President Tim Colacci said.
“Raising money to help an enterprise like Spectrum Works was an amazing experience. Firefighters are here to help. Whether it’s at an emergency or a fundraising initiative, we always give 100 percent to what we do and it showed here. I’m proud to present this check to Spectrum Works knowing it will be going to a great cause,” Firefighter Salvatore DeGennaro said.
For more information on Spectrum Works or find out how you can help, contact Ann Marie Sullivan (973) 866-6887, or visit www.spectrumworks.org.
