CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County’s youngest leader in the Blue Lives Movement wanted to spend his birthday celebrating law enforcement. His wish came true, but the Crestview boy also received a surprise.
“Well, it started on July 21, when my (then) 5-year-old son posted on his Facebook page (Be the Change_Jae) … He had the idea of wanting to share all his birthday cards and cake with the police officers and sheriff’s (deputies) who keep us safe,” Cassey Williams, mother of Jaedyn, said. “I told him it wasn’t their birthday, so thank-you cards would probably be more suitable.”
Jaedyn, or Jae, as he is known, then asked his Facebook fans to bring cards for local police for his July 27 birthday.
The effort caught the eye of Shaun Myers, son of slain Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Myers.
That Saturday, Shaun drove from Destin to meet Jae and his mom at Wal-Mart, where they selected “tons of treats and arts-and-crafts supplies and some pre-made thank-you cards to help Jae make his birthday wish come true,” Williams said.
While there, the two ran into some Crestview firefighters, who noticed Jae wearing his fireman costume — he enjoys dressing up as first responders — and let him tour their engine.
“That evening, Jae had his birthday party,” Williams said. “He had a whole table set up just for people to write their thank-you cards for the officers!”
Jae’s mom said the 6-year-old just wanted to show his appreciation, which he’s done for first responders ever since events around the country placed more scrutiny and criticism on law enforcement.
“First we stopped by the Crestview Police Department. We delivered cake, 32 cards, donuts, cookies, candy, waters, PowerAde and some other things,” Williams said.
The next stop was the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
“We were expecting a quick drop-off of the food items and the 36 cards we brought,” Williams. Instead, deputies led Jae and her to a break room.
“There was a room decorated with Spiderman decorations, balloons and presents for Jaedyn!” she said. “Jae's face lit up.”
Sheriff Larry Ashley and some deputies sang Happy Birthday to Jae and gave him a tour of the office and some collector’s coins, Williams said. Then it was cake time.
Williams said Ashley wondered what led Jae to visit them.
“Just to say thank you for keeping us safe all the time,” Williams quoted her son as saying in reply. “It was an unforgettable experience for all of us!”
Shaun Myers said in a public Facebook post that he was happy to support the effort.
“Jae is an incredible young man because he has an incredible heart!” Myers said in the post. “I just ask that everyone share and like his page because this is all about him!
“If you look at his page, it is not just first responders he has a love for. He donates to various organizations (with his mom's help of course), has a view that we are all beautiful and need to be nice, and he even makes cards and delivers them to residents at local nursing homes!
“Share his page, like his page, please let him know that he is doing a good thing and encourage him! God knows we need more of him in the world!”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview boy thanks officers, deputies (PHOTOS)