2017-01-01 Local Rotary Clubs Support "Books to the Rescue"
Local Rotary Clubs Support "Books to the Rescue" By AG Noel DeSousa - Prescott-Frontier
A matching grant funded by local area Rotary Clubs and Rotary District 5490 will supply eight (8) duffel bags costing about $250 each and containing books, stuffed animals, stickers and other child oriented items for use by Yavapai County, AZ, sheriff deputies with children who are experiencing traumatic situations such as involvement in a serious accident or domestic violence situation.
Studies have shown that when traumatic events are ameliorated at an early age, children are more likely to grow up to be contributing members of society. The materials in each duffel - also called Comfort Bags - supply joy, escape, comfort, and reassurance to a young person in crisis. The child is focused on the item(s), not what is going on with adults, thus calming the child and allowing other officers on the scene to do their work more effectively.
This scenario also has the potential of allowing the child, if necessary, to be questioned and provides a more positive feeling of law enforcement personnel and changes a child's frame of reference towards first responders.
Books to the Rescue - Yavapai County's mission is to support first responders in limiting the emotional impact of adverse childhood experiences. One of the ways this mission is achieved is by stocking first responder vehicles with engaging books, stuffed animals, and activities as a means to distract, comfort, and soothe in an emergency situation.
Books to the Rescue relies solely on donations for support. Donations can be made to: Community Counts (Please write "Books to the Rescue" in the memo space of your check), 8056 E. Valley Rd., Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, Or, For secure online donations go to http://communitycountsaz.org/index.php/bttr
Several local Rotary club officials from the Rotary Clubs of Prescott, Prescott-Frontier, Prescott-SunUp and Chino Valley present Jasmine Castigliano, Books to the Rescue project director and representatives of the Yavapai Co. Sheriff's office with a $2000 check in Support of the "Books to the Rescue" Program.
