REACH-A-Child featured on Spectrum News

BY ABBEY TAYLOR GREEN BAY

PUBLISHED 1:15 PM ET AUG. 24, 2022

OSHKOSH, Wis. — A family in Middleton donated books to a local police department asking them to give out to children in crisis.

Fifteen years later, their donation turned into an organization called REACH-A-Child.

Executive director Curtis Fuszard said by providing a child a book instead of a stuffed animal, it will take their mind off of the situation at hand. REACH-A-Child currently provides books for 300 departments across the state, including the Wisconsin State Patrol that had 550 vehicles.

Every first responder will receive a REACH bag filled with children’s books to keep in their vehicle.

“Our mission is to have one of those REACH bags in every department in the state of Wisconsin and we’re trying really hard to do that,” said Fuszard.

The Oshkosh Police and Fire Department has received bags for the past six years. Firefighter John Holland said it gives the child a sense of normalcy.

“When we read, we go where that book takes us and it gets them out of that horrible situation that they’re in, even if it’s just for a few minutes and that’s a huge win,” said Holland.

Officer Kate Mann said it’s a positive way to interact with the children while waiting for other services to come.

“One incident in particular that really stands out in my mind was a domestic disturbance,” said Mann. “It really helped us work with that child, have an activity to pass the time, build trust.”

Fuszard said all of the books are from the community, businesses and even authors.

“Here’s this network of hundreds and maybe thousands of individuals who find out about us and love the fact that we’re comforting children in crisis and they provide volunteer support, financial support,” said Fuszard.

He said the organization continues to grow. Just in the last three years, 75,000 books were donated.