Altrusa Club president Glenda Little, right, with fellow member De-ane Busby and some of the items intended for the ‘Distraction Packs for Tamariki’.
Cambridge Altrusa Club members have moved fast to support a national office initiative aimed at helping children caught up in emergency situations.
They are making up as many ‘Distraction Packs for Tamariki’ as possible, age-group related bags filled with goodies for boys and girls involved in situations attended by emergency services such as the police and fire brigade.
Each pack contains colouring pages, colouring pencils, a sock or finger puppet and a small toy or activity.
“They are intended to occupy or distract young children in situations where adults are working with emergency services,” said current Cambridge Altrusa president Glenda Little. “By having something on hand to calm children at the scene and divert their attention, emergency services personnel will be better able to get on with their work.”
Waipā emergency services are in full support, and early donations have helped swell the club’s coffers to provide material for the packs.
Next up was a public ‘working bee’, which ran from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, at Taylor Made Community Space in Taylor St (formerly the Cambridge Health and Community Centre).
Altrusa’s De-ane Busby said they want members of the public to come along and help make sock or finger puppets and assemble the packs. “We will have most of the materials on hand, but if people want to bring anything with them, they are welcome to do so,” she said.
Glenda said it was hoped they could make up at least 50 packs as a starting point, but the intention is to continue with the project on a long-term basis. Once the initial batch is ready, the packs will be given to local emergency services for them to carry in their vehicles.
The Cambridge Altrusa Club is one of hundreds linked to United States-based Altrusa International, a service organisation for women founded in 1917. Education and literacy are key focuses for Altrusa clubs around the world. The Cambridge group raises several thousand dollars each year to go towards community organisations.
Altrusa Club president Glenda Little, right, with fellow member De-ane Busby and some of the items intended for the ‘Distraction Packs for Tamariki’.
