First responders from Coconut Creek Police Department, Plantation Police Department, Sunrise Police Department, and the Coconut Creek Fire Department as well as others from the First Responders Community will come together to receive and prepare First Responder Kits4Kids, a groundbreaking initiative designed to ease children’s emotional trauma during emergency situations.
Made possible through a generous donation from Walmart Inc., the event will take place on February 18 at 2:30pm at L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center, 1409 NW 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
The First Responder Kits4Kids program was created by two dedicated fathers, Kevin Gatlin and James Fisher-Davis, with a mission to provide First Responders with essential tools to comfort children during service calls and high-stress situations. The initiative has received national recognition and the endorsement of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
“At Walmart, we’re proud to support First Responder Kits4Kids,” says Michelle Belaire, Group Director and Community Relations at Walmart Inc. “Providing first responders with tools to comfort and calm children during difficult moments is truly meaningful, and we’re honored to be part of this effort.”
Each First Responder Kits4Kids includes a Playtime Disposable Play Pad with more than 25 interactive activities, a set of vibrant crayons, a Rubik’s Cube for cognitive stimulation, a First Responder toy vehicle to foster familiarity with emergency personnel, Play-Doh for sensory play, a puzzle game, noise-canceling earplugs, a colorful squeeze ball, hand wipes, and an encouraging two-word affirmation note written by first responders. These carefully selected items help provide children with comfort and distraction during difficult moments.
Understanding the challenges first responders face when interacting with children in distress, Gatlin and Fisher-Davis developed these kits to create a sense of calm and security. Their mission is to ensure that every first responder across the country has access to these invaluable tools. The program has been widely recognized by major media outlets, including ABC, NBC, and CBS News.
“As first responders, we often encounter children in extremely difficult situations,” says Lt. Shayne Highfield Plantation PD. “Having tools like the First Responder Trauma Kits4Kids allows us to provide immediate comfort and reassurance, helping to build trust and reduce trauma for the children we serve.”
For more information about the First Responder Kits4Kids initiative, please contact 704-806-5692 or email info@playtimebedsheets.com.
About First Responder Kits4Kids
First Responder Kits4Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting first responders with resources that help comfort and engage children during service calls. By providing specially designed kits, the organization aims to ease distress, foster trust, and create positive interactions between children and first responders. Through partnerships with first responder agencies, corporate sponsors, and community leaders, First Responder Kits4Kids continues to expand its impact nationwide. To learn more, visit https://firstresponderkits4kids.org and follow First Responder Kits4Kids on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
