Packed with Care

Stuffed animals. Fidget spinners. Sunglasses. These are a few of the items in an LGM bag. LGM stands for Ledger Greyson Mann. He’s the Virginia 9-year-old who created the bags. The bags are clear backpacks. They hold items to calm a child with autism. Ledger gives these bags to police officers and other first responders.

BAGS TO GO On June 6, Ledger takes part in the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office Special Needs and Autism Awareness Festival.

Ledger’s dad, J.T. Mann, is a sergeant with Virginia’s Prince George County Police Department. Last fall, he got a call about an autistic child who had gone missing. The child was found safe a few hours later. When Sergeant Mann told Ledger what had happened, Ledger’s idea was born.

Ledger and his dad have packed and distributed more than 450 bags. At first, the bags went to first responders in Prince George County and nearby. Now father and son have delivered them to Florida, Maryland, and West Virginia. The bags have gone to police officers. They’ve gone to firefighters and paramedics. Ledger’s motivation is simple: “To help other children,” he told TIME for Kids. “And I have autism myself.”

SPECIAL DELIVERY Ledger drops off LGM bags to the Hopewell, Virginia, Fire Department.

Helpful Items

In the United States, one in 31 children has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, or ASD. The condition can affect how a person learns, behaves, and communicates.

“Autism doesn’t look like any one thing,” Ledger’s mom, Amanda, says. Some kids are sensitive to loud noises. Some are sensitive to bright lights. Others are sensitive to touch. So LGM bags have headphones, sunglasses, and blankets. Kids might be nonverbal. Dry erase boards are included.

IT’S AN HONOR Ledger is recognized for his service project by the sheriff and City Council of Colonial Heights, Virginia.

What’s Ledger’s favorite item in the bags? “Oh, definitely stuffed animals,” he says. “I have, like, a ginormous pile of them.” What’s comforting to Ledger helps other kids too.

Bags of Hope

Ledger used $100 from his piggy bank to make the first bags. Then people learned about the project. They stepped up to support it. Organizations sent money. Today, the Mann family’s garage is filled with items donated by community members.

READY TO SERVE Ledger attends a Law Enforcement Appreciation Day event in Ashland, Virginia, on May 17.

Sports and school keep Ledger busy. But “every day, between football and doing jiujitsu and all that, we go and try to make five or 10 bags,” Ledger’s dad says. “Ledger is quality control,” Ledger’s mom says. “If I do it and it’s out of order, I hear about it!”

FLY HIGH Ledger and his dad pause for a picture after taking bags to the Virginia State Police Aviation Unit.

Officials in Ulster County, New York, heard about Ledger’s bags. Now there’s one for every ambulance in the county. “His leadership at such a young age is truly inspiring,” Jen Metzger said last May. She’s the Ulster County Executive.

What’s next on Ledger’s service journey? His goal is crystal clear: “Do all America, baby!

Inspired?

Let Ledger’s story inspire you to promote health and wellness in your community. Click below for ideas on how you can make a positive difference.