A Red Deer mother is thanking first responders after they pulled out all the stops in a parade for her son’s third birthday.
“We’d planned a really big birthday at Treehouse with tons of family and friends,” Sinead Holstein explained. “For obvious reasons, it was cancelled.”
Holstein said little Will had been asking if it’s his birthday every day for the last six weeks, he was so excited.
“I just broke down, because we couldn’t give him what we’d hyped up for him,” she explained.
Holstein asked Will what else he wanted to do for his birthday and the answer was the same every time.
“He just kept saying he wanted Marshal to come, Marshal from Paw Patrol. If you don’t know, he’s a dog dressed like a firefighter.”
So Holstein asked if someone from the Red Deer Firefighters Association could swing by and just wave at Will from outside.
The association went a step further and planned a surprise, even getting the RCMP involved.
On Tuesday, Will’s actual birthday, a dozen police cars and two fire vehicles paraded in front of the family’s home, lights and sirens activated.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I thought it would be one fire truck, one police car.”
Her son’s reaction was priceless, she said.
“Oh my goodness Mommy, I love police cars,” Will said as he ran out the door to wave.
Holstein said the gesture made her emotional.
“To have so many people go so above and beyond for a little boy’s birthday, it’s just a tearjerker. It was amazing.”
Holstein said Will loved that special message and is still talking about his wonderful birthday surprises a day later.
“Thank you, it was really great what they did for my son.”
The family has watched video of the parade 10 times.
“Every single time I’m just crying happy tears in amazement of all these wonderful people,” Holstein said.
“It made such a negative time really positive for everyone. Even if only for a few minutes. It was really outstanding.”