The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers helped Grand Chute police officers load up their cruisers with new, donated Buddy Bags for kids on Monday. Inside the backpacks, a child will find an age-appropriate book to read, a coloring book and crayons, and a cuddly stuffed animal to snuggle with during a traumatic situation such as a car accident or domestic disturbance.
"The Buddy Bag Program is going to be an excellent opportunity for officers to interact with children when we go to a crisis scene where we can sit down with them, provide them with a bag, and give them kind of like a happy distraction, I guess, as to what traumatic situation is going on," said Officer Travis Waas.
First responders hope the Buddy Bags will also ease the minds of upset children during the days following an incident.
The Heart of the Valley YMCA and United Way Fox Cities are also partners in the project.
