FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A grant is helping the Fond du Lac Police Department keep children calm in emergency situations.
The Fond du Lac Police Department received 31 “Reach Bags” Thursday as part of the REACH-A-Child program, thanks to a $7,500 grant from the AT&T Foundation.
A “Reach Bag” is a backpack filled with children’s books in which first responders can give to children to comfort them in traumatic situations like a vehicle crash, fire, domestic disturbance or temporary homelessness.
The goal is to redirect the child’s attention from the crisis at hand, allowing them to experience an educational escape from their fears.
“REACH-A-Child is a wonderful organization that is helping first responders comfort children who are often dealing with very stressful and traumatic situations,” said Paul Weirtz, president of AT&T Wisconsin. “We are proud to support this nonprofit’s mission to provide a book to comfort every child in crisis.”
Since 2014, AT&T and the AT&T Foundation have contributed $46,500 to support REACH-A-Child.
