BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Birmingham firefighters have joined forces to provide comfort to children in traumatic situations through the “Kits 4 Kids” initiative. The program, created by Kevin Gatlin and James Fisher-Davis, aims to offer solace to young ones during emergencies by providing bags filled with games and comfort items.
Kevin Gatlin, co-partner of First Responder Kits 4 Kids, explained, “I created a product called play time disposables… used in hospitals… once James learned about my disposables… thought they would be good for first responders.”
James Fisher-Davis, a retired first responder, emphasized the importance of the kits, saying, “We want to make sure every department, every vehicle, every law enforcement officer, every first responder has access… to these particular tools because we know it’s gonna benefit them as they go out and deal with young people… dealing with any type of trauma.”
The initiative, supported by Diversified Maintenance and first responders, assembles kits filled with toys and games designed to distract children from trauma. James Fisher-Davis noted, “They can be used for vehicle crashes, they can be used for mental episodes at home, they can be used for domestic violence cases, child abuse and neglect cases. There are various ways they can be utilized in such a fashion that we know will benefit not only the young person but hopefully will de-escalate the environment.”
Lt. Irby of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office highlighted the importance of the program, stating, “It’s so important to bridge that gap between law enforcement and the community… so when we are out in the field and we can make a child feel more comfortable in communicating with us, that is priceless.”
Dana McCLINTON from Diversified Maintenance expressed the company’s commitment to community service, saying, “It’s a feel-good for our whole company… again community service, we don’t just say it but we back it up with activities all over.”
Ciera Lilly from Diversified Maintenance added, “That is a phenomenal thing when we are able to put these kits together, give them a little reprieve whatever’s happening inside their home… and for us, it makes us feel good about what we’re able to do as an organization. And that we were able to play a small role in brightening someone’s day and shifting their focus to something that’s happy.”
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