The Action Team, a Carver-based organization, donated care packages to local police and fire departments to help children in traumatic situations.
WATD’s Lenny Rowe files this report:
Plympton Special Police Officer Laicey Ieronimo coordinated the effort, where more than 80 bags were donated to seven departments.
“I think it’s something that could be overlooked in the heat of the moment, and first responders may not realize that a child might need one of these bags,” said Ieronimo. “But it’s definitely something that’s going to make a positive impact.
A recent donation of bags was delivered to the Plympton Fire Station, and Captain John Sjostedt says the bags will be added to their ambulances and command vehicles.
“It’s so appreciated, Laicey reached out to us, made the offer, and I couldn’t say yes fast enough. This is just a wonderful gift that helps us with protecting the children, making them more comfortable in an emergency,” said Sjostedt. “It’s a traumatic event when we have to show up, and to be able to give a child something that comforts them a little bit is huge.”
Recent donations included departments in Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Pembroke, and Plympton.
“There are different age groups, the younger bags have diapers, wipes, little blankets, that type of stuff,” said Ieronimo. “The older bags have activities like crosswords, coloring books, and they all have tooth brushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner – basic hygiene items in case they have to take it overnight.”
Ieronimo founded the Action Team as a junior at Carver High School. Their first event was care packages for kids at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Four years and 15 events later, she says the support has been tremendous.
“A lot of the Plympton officers have helped, especially Kevin Brower, John Simon, and Scott DeNicola – those three officers helped a lot with the bags,” said Ieronimo.
She said the Plympton Police Department and Chief Matthew Clancy helped get the program off the ground and promote it.
“There have been a lot of donations,” said Ieronimo. “The seven police departments and the two fire departments, the towns collected a lot of donations and I’ve been able to make over 80 bags for each department.”
She’s already planning the next event for The Action Team – a sock drive for the homeless in October.
More information can be found on Facebook, Instagram (@TheActionTeam), or TheActionTeamOrganization.com.
