SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Equipped with donated backpacks, Shawano first responders will be able to offer comfort to children in emergency situations through the power of books.
On Tuesday, Shawano Police and Fire Departments received up to a dozen “Reach Bags.”
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, domestic disturbance or temporary homelessness.
According to a Marquette University study, a book takes attention away from the crisis and can help reduce the impact of PTSD in children.
The bags and books were funded through REACH-A-Child, the Shawano Area Community Foundation and AT&T.
The departments also received hundreds of additional children’s books for community engagement purposes.
REACH-A-Child currently serves more than 260 first responder departments in Wisconsin and distributes more than 20,000 new children’s books to its network annually.
