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Donation from Project Delta empowers HPD to aid kids in crisis

Representatives of Project Delta pose for a photo with the Hopkinton Police Department. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

The Hopkinton Police Department has new equipment for responding to calls where children are involved: stuffed animals.

The HPD recently received a donation of 12 “responder comfort kits” from the nonprofit Project Delta. These kits feature a drawstring bag that holds a number of stuffed animals officers can use when responding to crisis situations involving children.

During a crisis, children are “seeking some type of reassurance or comfort,” explained Project Delta vice president Mark AuBuchon. 

“Their sense of security, sense of normalcy is gone,” he said.

Operating under a similar premise to a security blanket, the kits provide children something to redirect their attention while emergency personnel and other adults handle a given scene. 

“It ultimately becomes a source of comfort in future scenarios,” added AuBuchon.

Project Delta was started and is run by Freemasons, though it is not affiliated with a masonic lodge. The nonprofit has provided comfort kits free of charge to emergency personnel in more than 10 states.

The 12 kits donated to Hopkinton will be stored in each of the department’s cruisers, solving previous accessibility problems.

“We’ve had comfort items in the past, but they tend to be left at the station,” said HPD Lt. Aaron O’Neil.

He went on to note that the kits will help the department in its ongoing efforts to help and connect with residents.

“If there’s a way we can ease stress and anxiety [kids] feel by giving out these animals, it greatly benefits the people that are involved,” O’Neil said.

Latest News

Golden Pond’s chief operating officer has assumed the duties of executive director after relieving the prior executive director of his duties earlier this month.

The Planning Board on Monday night agreed to assign a designee to a proposed Economic Development Advisory Board and discussed ways to encourage commercial growth in town.

This week’s Move in Style Athlete Spotlight shines on Barry O’Brien, a junior on the boys skiing team whose commitment to improving his skills led to a seventh-place finish in the Central Massachusetts League and a spot at the state championship meet.

Thomas Newton, 85, of Hopkinton passed away on March 5.

Troop 4 Hopkinton is hosting its annual pancake breakfast and silent auction April 5 at St. John’s Parish.

Town meetings tonight include the Appropriation Committee (5), the Water & Sewer Advisory Board (5) and the Board of Appeals (7).

Photo of the Day

Members of the Hopkinton Fire Department walk off the court following a match during the Michael Lisnow Respite Center’s Battle of the Badges Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday at Hopkinton Middle School’s Brown Gym.

PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO