Altrusa Ohariu donates distraction packs

Altrusa Oh took part in a national campaign to provide distraction packs for Police to use while attending incidents in our community in the week ending on March 18.

They successfully applied for a Trust House fund and used it to create 50 distraction packs.

Each pack includes a fidget item and activity book and colouring pencils, and is packaged in a sturdy canvas book bag that can be re-used.

The packs were delivered to Constable Sarah Steed and Kapiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renee Perkins, by incoming Altrusa Oha resident Natalie Aitkens.

The packs will be given to children to provide distraction while Police speak with caregivers and parents about or duringtraumatic events.

They may also be given to children who have experienced an accident or been involved in an emergency, to take their mind off the situation at hand.

Some of the packs are also being delivered to families in recently flood-stricken areas.

Altrusa Ohar is a voluntary community-based service organisation focusing on projects that uplift underprivileged communities and increase literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) for young people.

It meets monthly in the Johnsonville Community Hub and is always on the lookout for local charities, clubs, schools and organisations who may need assistance in funds, resources or volunteers.