Autauga group's donation to buy life-saving bracelets

Aug. 18--The Autauga County Sheriff's Office will be purchasing more than two dozen bracelets designed to help those with special needs, with the money provided by the 2013-2014 class of Leadership Autauga County.

The bracelets are part of Project Lifesaver, an effort established in 1999 with the mission of assisting those who care for victims of Alzheimer's, dementia, autism, Down syndrome or any other cognitive condition that causes people to wander.

Capt. Jim Steele said the advantage for the Sheriff's Office is that there is not as much manpower being used to assist in cases of people who have wandered away.

"What once used a lot of resources now takes about three minutes," Steele said.

The bracelets have a device that law enforcement can track, and they are difficult to take off. Steele said officials attempt to make the transition to wearing the bracelet easier by doing such things as adding family photos to the design.

Steele, who accepted a $7,824 check from Leadership Autauga County on behalf of the Autauga County Sheriff's Office, said the funds will help provide additional bracelets as the Sheriff's Office currently is running low. The bracelets, which are free to those who obtain them, cost about $350 to purchase, Steele said.

The donation will allow the Sheriff's Office to purchase about 25 bracelets.

Kellie Cook, chairwoman of the 2013-2014 class of Leadership Autauga County, said raising the funds was the group's project for the year.

"These bracelets can be the difference between life and death," Cook said.

For information on obtaining a Project Lifesaver bracelet, call 360-2500.

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