Unfortunately, bullying is still a part of growing up. But despite that sad fact, or because of it, it’s still worthwhile to help out strangers and keep an open mind to acts of kindness that pop up.
That’s what one police officer did when he had the chance to be there for a 9-year-old boy named Thomas Daniel.
A ride to school became much more.
When little Thomas missed the school bus, he started chasing after it. Unfortunately, the bus didn’t stop, but a police officer saw the whole thing.
Officer Lynema, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, offered to give the boy a ride to school. That car ride gave Thomas a chance to open up about some big feelings he was having.
They had a heart-to-heart.
Thomas told the officer that he was being bullied at school. Because of the bullying, he was scared that no one was going to come to his birthday party that was happening later that day.
Then Thomas invited the officer to his birthday party, and Officer Lynema accepted.
But when the officer showed up to the child’s birthday that night, no one else was there.
Only Thomas’s family had shown up.
The officer wanted to make a plan to make things better. The next day, Officer Lynema returned to Thomas’s house with a whole crew of police officers.
They were all there to celebrate Thomas’s birthday and help him feel special.
These celebratory cops gave Thomas all sorts of cool things for his birthday. The goodies included a donut cake, birthday presents, and a singing quartet.
They even gave him a special shout-out.
The police department later posted about how much fun they had at the party.
On Facebook, the police department shared the story and wrote that they wanted to be invited again next year. They said:
“No kid should get bullied, and no kid should worry if anyone will come to the party. Next year Thomas Daniel, make sure you drop us that invite a little sooner. We wouldn’t want to miss it!”
After word about this act of kindness got out, Daniel got flooded with well-wishers and birthday cheer.
One person commented on the Facebook post:
“Would love to send this young man a birthday card. Is there anyway to do that? Thank you!”
The officers responded.
In response, the Grand Rapids Police Department shared their mailing address and said that any and all birthday wishes for Thomas could be sent to Officer Lynema, who would forward the cards to his new friend.
After that, a lot of other people pitched in and said they would also be sending cards. Some people even said they were including presents of money.
Lots of people were touched.
For many people, this story reminded them of the importance of being kind and extending a helping hand to our neighbors. One person wrote:
“
A little feel good today in a world filled with madness. Be a good human. Be kind. Show up for others. Way to go GRPD! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY THOMAS!!!!
“Hopefully, in the future, the officers get to go to more of Thomas’s birthday parties.
What these officers did for this child is so kind. Nobody deserves to be bullied, and everyone should feel special and loved on their birthday.
It’s great that this little boy’s day got turned around a little bit because of their kindness.
See more about this story in the video below.
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