With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. a Child program to provide State Patrol officers with books to give to children during crisis situations

June 13, 2008

When responding to a traffic crash or other emergency crisis, Wisconsin State Patrol officers often encounter children who are frightened and confused about what has happened.

To help children overcome this emotional turmoil, State Patrol vehicles will soon be equipped with packets of kid's books, which will provide a calming influence and a welcome distraction from stressful events.

This initiative to provide books to children in crisis situations is called With Wings and a Halo - R.E.A.C.H. (Reading Enjoyment Affects Childhood Happiness), a non-profit program created by Paul and Chris Gilbertson of Waunakee, Wisconsin.

"Beginning Saturday, June 14, With Wings and a Halo will begin filling State Patrol vehicles throughout the state with packets containing 10 to 12 books for officers to give to children they see who are in a stressful situation," Gilbertson said. "The donated book bags are called B.A.C.K. Packets, which stands for Become A Cheerful Kid. Our mission is to put a smile on a face of a child during a time of need. These B.A.C.K. Packets are currently being carried in more than 2,400 squad cars and ambulances in more than 55 counties in Wisconsin. We have been endorsed by the State of Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association and the Badger State Sheriffs' Association, and we expect to soon have our B.A.C.K. Packets in approximately 5,000 vehicles in Wisconsin and Illinois."

State Patrol Superintendent David Collins said, "This program is an innovative and effective way to help children handle situations that can be extremely upsetting even for adults. When responding to a traffic crash or other stressful incidents, our officers certainly will be grateful to have the donated books as a way to interact with the children at the scene and help them recover emotionally."

For more information, contact:
Paul Gilbertson, Executive Director, With Wings and a Halo
(608) 345-7074, paul@withwingsandahalo.org

Colonel Ben Mendez, Wisconsin State Patrol,
(608) 266-3908, benjamin.mendez@dot.state.wi.us