McPHERSON, Kan. (Aug. 5, 2025) — Eight-year-old Chevy Settrini visited with the McPherson Sheriff Department, the McPherson Police Department, and the McPherson Fire Department on July 30, 2005, when he donated four backpacks to each department for Autism Awareness. Chevy was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 4, and like over 50% of children with Autism, Chevy struggled with elopement behaviors. Through his struggles, he realized that when First responders are contacted to assist with locating children who have eloped or wandered, their knowledge is present, but they often lack the resources to help children communicate, interact, or entertain themselves while they await their parents’ arrival. That’s when Chevy decided that was his goal.
In April 2025, Chevy began collecting donations. First from his parents and then from the community. He placed collection tins at the two QuickPic locations in McPherson and checks them regularly. His parents help him open a Non-Profit bank account that he can deposit the money to and then he purchases the items that he places in the backpacks that he donates.
Each backpack contains a plush animal, noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, liquid timer, pop-it, squishies, rubber ducks, a dry-erase board, plastic numbers, communication boards, and autism tips for first responders.
Chevy’s next goal is to be able to donate a bags to EMS and each town in McPherson County. He will then move on to the Rural Fire Districts.
Chevy has donation tins locations at QuickPic locations at 115 W Kansas and 1201 E 1st. He also has a Facebook page, “Autism Awareness for First Responders,” and a GoFundMe set up for donations. 100% of all donations are used solely for the purpose of purchasing items and assembling backpacks and donating them to First Responders in McPherson County.
