An Arvada boy named Gabe wanted no gifts or expensive trips for his 7th birthday this June. All he wanted was to give back to those who risk their lives -- sometimes with little recognition -- to help those in great need.
Gabe submitted a request to have the Arvada Fire District come to his 7th birthday party. He also asked all his friends to come along, and in lieu of gifts, he asked them to bring money to donate to the department's nonprofit, Friends of Arvada Fire, as a gift from the birthday boy himself.
On his birthday, the boy's wish came true when a fire engine showed up to the party with several firefighters in tow, according to Arvada Fire District spokeswoman Michelle Cherniske.
Gabe then presented the fire crew with $150 he collected. In return, the fire crews gave the kids attending the party a tour of the fire engine and showed them how to operate the engine's fire hose.
(Photo: Gabe learns how to operate fire hose. Photo courtesy: Arvada Fire District)
Fire crews also gave Gabe's party attendees some stickers and fire hats from the Arvada Fire District, according to Cherniske.
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