FDL Police Department Provides “Reach Bags” Through $7,500 Grant

AT&T Wisconsin teamed up with the Fond du Lac Police Department recently to allow children in the community a small educational escape.

Thanks to a $7,500 grant from the AT&T Foundation, the Department received 31 “Reach Bags” Thursday (6/20/2022) as part of the REACH-A-Child program.

The goal of the delivery is to assist the Fond du Lac Police Department in keeping children calm in emergency situations.

The bags contain children’s books which are given to children, offering comfort following traumatic incidents such as temporary homelessness, a domestic disturbance, a vehicle crash or a fire.

The desired outcome is that the “Reach Bags” allow the redirection of attention for the child from the crisis at hand.

“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.

REACH-A-Child is a Madison-based nonprofit that partners with first responders in many communities across the state. Its mission is to provide first responders with REACH BAGs filled with books and drawstring backpacks to help comfort children in crisis. To learn more, please visit: http://reachachild.org/.