Braintree FD launches campaign for Sandy Hook

BRAINTREE, Mass. (WHDH) -- As the Sandy Hook community continues to grieve, a local fire department wanted the victims' families to know their struggle is close to their hearts. So they launched a campaign to help those recover from the tragedy: Stickers for support.

“It hit close to home,” said Robbie Loud of the Braintree Fire Department.

Firefighter Robbie Loud watched the tragedy unfold on his television set, and wanted to help.

“I have an eight-year-old and a five-year-old at home, second grade and kindergarten and they're both in school, so it really hit hard,” said Loud.

He came up with the idea to sell stickers, all donations going to the fund set up by the united way.

The green represents the school's colors, each design bears the town's crest and one includes 26 stars.

“They're for the 6 teachers on the top. The 20 kids on the bottom,” said Loud.

The campaign began only four days ago, and already firefighters raised more than a thousand dollars.

“We actually got our first stickers in on Friday and we were out late yesterday of some of the different types of stickers and we've actually had a bunch of people just give money and not take stickers,” said Firefighter Brian Connors of the Braintree Fire Department.

While 7News was there, a New Jersey Fire Department ordered 30 stickers.

Braintree credited its Facebook page for the growing publicity.

“It started getting shared and liked and it spread very quickly,” said Connors.

Firefighters in town have been wearing the stickers on their helmets and keeping the victims close to their hearts.

“The outpouring of support has been great. I just want it to keep going,” said Loud.

Firefighter Loud said he called the Newtown Fire Department yesterday and will be sending them their own batch of stickers.

If you would like your own stickers, you can pick them up at Braintree Fire Headquarters or mail in a check.

Stickers are:

2" $2 each; 3 for $5; 10 for $15
4" $4 each; 3 for $10; 10 for $30

Please send a self-address stamped envelope to: 

Braintree Firefighters
IAFF Local 920
Attn: FF. Robbie Loud
One Union Place
Braintree, MA 02184