Ledger Mann's bags bring comfort to children in crisis

A boy with autism gets lost in the woods

A child with autism and sensory-processing challenges went missing in wooded Dinwiddie County, Virginia.Police, fire department, and drones searched the dense forest.

Sergeant Mann's son hears the story

Sergeant JT Mann of the Prince George County police department found the boy.That evening he told his wife and two sons what happened.

“I felt a little sad for him. I felt a little bad for him.”

Ledger sees what was missing

Ledger approved of how his father coaxed the boy out using a smartphone video. But he realized first responders lacked items that could comfort autistic children in crisis: blankets, plush toys, books, fidget spinners, headphones…

“Dad, you don't have those things.”

Ledger's idea takes shape in ten minutes

Ledger decided first responders should carry comfort items in a clear backpack so children could see and point to what they needed.

His mother remembers the moment

Ledger's mother Amanda, the elected commonwealth's attorney for Dinwiddie County, Virginia, recalls how quickly her son developed the concept. He came up with the whole idea in a span of ten minutes.

“He came up with that whole concept in a span of 10 minutes.”

The family starts making bags

Ledger, his parents, and his older brother Peyton, sixteen, began making bags. They created a Facebook page called LGM Bags for Ledger Greyson Mann and are working to register as a five zero one c…

Ledger funds the first bags himself

Money came from an unexpected source: Ledger's piggy bank.He saves his money religiously and had about one hundred dollars on hand.

“Ledger saves his money religiously. He doesn't like to spend, so he had about $100.”

The community steps in to help

After the first responders' enthusiastic reaction, Ledger wanted to make more bags.His father JT reached out to civic centers, the Moose Lodge, the Fraternal Order of the Police, and churches for donations.

“Nothing in the bag is expensive. Everything is from the Dollar Tree or Dollar General.”

Ledger's assembly line runs perfectly

The Manns' garage filled with materials for dozens of bags.Ledger spends his free time packing them carefully in a just-so way.

“He's very particular about how the bag has to be made. He has an assembly line and everything has to be done perfectly.”

Strategic distribution across the county

Dinwiddie County covers two hundred eighty-six square miles.The Manns distributed bags in central locations before expanding outward to ensure no area was overlooked.

The story spreads beyond Virginia

Early this year, a local television reporter produced a story that aired beyond Dinwiddie County limits.

An inspiration from Texas

One individual flew from Texas to Virginia to deliver bags from her company.She visited the police department over one weekend to meet Ledger because he was such an inspiration to her.

“We had one individual fly out from Texas. She flew all the way [to Virginia to deliver] bags from her company.”

Ledger still has homework and hobbies

Ledger attends the Learning to Lead Academy, a private school with ten students.His favorite subject is math and his favorite hobby is Lego.

Plush animals are most in demand

With each bag distributed, the family learns what children in distress need most.Children keep any item they select from a bag while the bag and remaining contents go back to first responders.

“Whether it's a boy or a girl, a stuffed animal is always a good comfort for any child.”

Ledger's vision goes nationwide

The family visits towns and counties that requested bags, delivering completed ones and helping assemble others on-site.

“I want to have this go everywhere. To all of America!”