After getting a call that the supply was low, the Upper Darby Marine Corps League Auxiliary jumped into action to fill up more comfort bags for children in distressful situations.
Erika Krautheim, the Upper Darby Marine Corps League Auxiliary senior vice president, explained that the auxiliary first assembled the bags a few years ago after donating 40 bags to the Upper Darby Fire Department.
“I believe it’s been roughly four years we’ve been doing it,” she said. “We went through first Upper Darby Fire Department when Chief (Derrick) Sawyer was there.”
Then, the call came again.
“A week or two ago, they actually called and said they had gone through all of them and they requested more of them,” Krautheim said.
So, the auxiliary started their work and now, they’ve doubled their load with the goal to make 80 of the bags.
“The thought behind it is it’s for a child in need of any kind,” Krautheim said. “The bags are going to be multi-purpose.”
The children’s comfort bags are lined up and ready to be distributed. (COURTESY OF ERIKA KRAUTHEIM)
She said the idea is that they can be kept on the firetrucks and ambulances so that when the firefighters and emergency personnel arrive at a scene and there’s a child involved, they can give one to them.
“The Red Cross is such a wonderful organization, but it takes them a little bit of time (to get to a scene),” the auxiliary member said. “We want these bags to be readily available to the first responders. That way, if there’s a fire in the middle of the night, they can have them to give out.”
Krautheim said that when Crozer ambulance was active, the auxiliary provided bags for the Crozer units and now they are outfitting STAT Medical Transport with the goods.
She explained that the bags are for any child, regardless of gender or age.
“Anybody from 0 to 18,” Krautheim said. “If they’re in need, they have them.”
The bags include a 50-inch by 60-inch blanket in solid primary colors, coloring books, crayons from eight to 24 packs, stress toys that do not contain liquids, new stuffed animals about 12 inches tall, a journal such as a composition book or a spiral notebook, pens, travel size toothbrush and toothpaste, travel size comb or brush, travel size hand wipes and small toys such as cars or a finger skateboard. All is placed inside of a 15-inch to 17-inch backpack.
Each bag contains a note that reads, “We hope you like your comfort bag. This bag was put together with love to let you know you are being thought of. We hope that this bag helps you during this time.”
It is then signed “From our hearts, The Upper Darby Marine Corps League Auxiliary.”
Items inside the comfort bags include coloring books, blankets and a stuffed animal. (COURTESY OF ERIKA KRAUTHEIM)
The bags don’t have anything perishable in them like snacks so that they can be stored in vehicles until they are needed.
Krautheim said the auxiliary is hoping to expand the comfort bag programs to police departments.
She recalled a Collingdale friend who was coming home from work and saw a kid who was walking around in a T-shirt and diaper.
“Over the years, you see the police, they are picking up nonverbal children,” she said. “They don’t know how to get in touch with the family. This gives them something to keep the child occupied until they find them.”
She shared some of the first responder response.
After gifting the Crozer ambulance 40 comfort bags, Krautheim said, “The paramedics themselves were just ecstatic for the support.”
Past Upper Darby Fire Chief Derrick Sawyer, left, receives one of the comfort bags from Upper Darby Marine Corps League Auxiliary members Erika Krautheim, second from right, and Rebecca Dengel a few years ago. (COURTESY OF ERIKA KRAUTHEIM)
And, the community can get involved as donations can be dropped off at the Burhill Hardware at 526 Burmont Road in Drexel Hill. or they can shop the auxiliary’s Amazon list here. They also accept monetary donations for the supplies.
In addition, the auxiliary continues to send care packages to the troops, which they’ve been doing since 9/11. Krautheim said all anyone needs to do is give Burhill Hardware the name and address of their military person for that service member to be put on the package list.
“With the care packages, we try to send snacks,” Krautheim said. “Right now, we started sending Dungeons and Dragons dice. We were getting feedback that they use that for therapy.”
When the Crozer ambulances operated, their parademics carried some of the comfort bags from the Upper Darby Marine Corps League Auxiliary. (COURTESY OF ERIKA KRAUTHEIM)
Then, those who have received them will visit the League when they return stateside.
“It’s definitely something that’s close to our hearts,” Krautheim said. “They come in and thank us. It’s always nice to hear from them. It’s beautiful.”