Starke County Health Department Health Nurse Frank Lynch gave the Starke County Youth Club emergency go packs last week.
Lynch explained that there are four packs that have everything needed in case an emergency or disaster occurs.
“They have some supplies ready to where they can at least try and help get through it,” said Lynch. “There are wipes and a First Aid Kit – general stuff you would hope you would have for preparedness at your home. There are basic supplies and things we have thought of between me and Irene as far as what we would think we would need in the event of an emergency.”
Starke County Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi said the Starke County Health Department was generous in helping provide these packs that contain necessary items.
Szakonyi stated, “It’s for all of our sites and for central office, which is very nice of him, and when we’re going on field trips so that we have a go bag with us and we don’t have to take it from one of the sites. If there is an emergency situation or a natural disaster, our team can literally just pick this up by one handle and take it with them and be prepared for helping out our kids and keeping calm and safe for our kids and our families which is just really such a huge bonus. We’re really grateful.”
Lynch added that a little over $700 was spent to provide the go bags for the sites which include First Aid kits, masks, baby wipes, hand wipes, paper towels, a hand crank radio, clipboards, tarps, trash bags, a fire extinguisher, pens, labels/name tags, whistles, hand sanitizer, flashlights, duct tape, and a multi-purpose tool.
Lynch said he hopes to provide more bags next year and expand the offering to school offices. If any Starke County school would like to collaborate with the Starke County Health Department for similar resources, call the office at 574-772-9137.
