SAGINAW, MI — A local initiative to provide first responders with autism sensory kits designed to soothe children with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs during emergency situations is growing.
Last month, emergency personnel with five Saginaw-area departments received the new “Carter Kits” during a press conference at Saginaw Fire Department Station No. 1, 801 Federal Ave. The event was attended by 5-year-old Carter Severs, who has autism spectrum disorder and for whom the kits are named, his parents, Justin Severs, a Saginaw Township police detective, and Kelley Severs, their friend Andrew Keller, an area Realtor who donated the first 10 kits, Saginaw firefighter Brandon Hausbeck, and others involved in the effort.
Carter Kits contain noise-canceling ear muffs, sunglasses, a weighted blanket, sensory toys and fidget devices. Now, thanks to a donation of more than $10,000 from the 100+ Women Who care-Mid Michigan membership, the program is expanding, Keller said. The donation will fund 200 to 250 more kits for use locally, according to a post on the Carter Kits - Autism Sensory Bags Facebook page.
Word of Carter Kits spread quickly and departments across the state and even across the country have inquired about getting involved.
“We’ve had about 20 states reach out to us at this point,” Keller said. “It’s been incredible.”
Keller said organizers will soon be traveling to Cullman, Alabama, to provide emergency responders there with 10 Carter Kits, and plan to meet with state officials to discuss growing the program there as well.
Keller said out-of-state departments that express interest in Carter Kits are asked to raise their own funds or to find sponsors — the kits cost about $60 each. Locally, donations can be sent care of the Saginaw Community Foundation.
“We’ve raised about $15,000," Keller said. “We want to keep local money local. People that donate locally want to see kits locally."
From working with Grasel Graphics in Frankenmuth to have the branded bags made, to finding suppliers for the items, to shipping the finished kits, “this has been a huge learning experience for us, but it’s been great," Keller said.
“The community support we never anticipated," Keller said. This project makes for long days for Keller, Justin Severs and Hausbeck, who have collaborated on this since the beginning, but "we go to bed happy and we wake up happy knowing that we’re trying to make a difference,” he said.
Learn more at carterkits.org.
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