Home » News » Waupaca News » Reaching kids in crisis

Reaching kids in crisis

Waupaca police, fire offer books, comfort

By Angie Landsverk


Waupaca’s police and fire departments now have books and backpacks for children they encounter on crisis calls.

“These will be used when there’s a tragic situation. It could be a car accident, domestic abuse or a death,” said Police Chief Brian Hoelzel.

The departments received the books and bags from REACH-A-Child, Inc.

The Madison-based organization received a grant from the Waupaca Area Community Foundation to bring the program to Waupaca.

“Late last fall, the REACH-A-Child organization reached out to our department to let us know that the Waupaca Area Community Foundation provided REACH-A-Child with grant dollars to provide books and backpacks for the police and fire departments,” Hoelzel said.

He said the departments received the books and bags about three to four weeks ago.

The items are already in the squads, Hoelzel said.

Each squad has a backpack filled with different books for children ages 2 to 12, he said.

Hoelzel said the fire department is also involved with REACH-A-Child.

Children will choose a book and receive a drawstring backpack as well.

Officers and first responders will read the books to the children if they are able to.

“We will spend time with the child in crisis,” Hoelzel said. “It will help build a positive relationship with them.”

When the departments use the books initially provided to them, they will contact the organization and it will refill them, he said.

“I think it helps the officers or the first responders to feel good about the job they’re doing by spending time to build a relationship with that child who is in crisis,” Hoelzel said.

He said the books will also be used for certain school functions where the officers are involved in reading to students in classrooms.

Scroll to Top