Kids take over emergency services as Chiefs for a Day
Jose (left) and Arthur (right) enjoyed riding in a Mattawa patrol car.
EPHRATA - Arthur Gatica and Jose Armando Garcia had the day of their lives on June 11 when they represented the Mattawa Police Department and Grant County Fire District No. 8 at Chief for a Day.
Chief for a Day is an annual event that brings joy to the lives of selected Grant County youngsters with developmental disabilities.
It is held on the Grant County Courthouse grounds.
Nine children participated this year representing nine public safety agencies. They were lauded and applauded by their agencies, the Grant County commissioners, judges, other dignitaries, family and friends.
"It was a great day," Mattawa Police Chief John Turley said.
The honorary chiefs were presented to the Mattawa City Council at the meeting of June 18. Turley created a video montage of some of the photos that were taken at Chief for a Day.
This was the third year for the MPD's involvement, and this year was the first for Fire District 8. Fire Chief Dave Patterson said his volunteers were so impressed with the event that they are doing a fund raiser to help with expenses next year.
"We appreciate the hard work and efforts of the Grant County Sheriff's Office, their staff and Undersheriff Ponozzo's guiding hand over the event," Turley said. "We are also appreciative of the Tom Boruff Foundation funding that helps defray part of the cost of the event and never forget the giant effort of WalMart Stores in Ephrata for all they do for the kids and family."
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By Ted Escobar
The Royal Register editor
EPHRATA - Arthur Gatica and Jose Armando Garcia had the day of their lives on June 11 when they represented the Mattawa Police Department and Grant County Fire District No. 8 at Chief for a Day.
Chief for a Day is an annual event that brings joy to the lives of selected Grant County youngsters with developmental disabilities. It is held on the Grant County Courthouse grounds.
Nine children participated this year representing nine public safety agencies. They were lauded and applauded by their agencies, the Grant County commissioners, judges, other dignitaries, family and friends.
"It was a great day," Mattawa Police Chief John Turley said.
The honorary chiefs were presented to the Mattawa City Council at the meeting of June 18. Turley created a video montage of some of the photos that were taken at Chief for a Day.
This was the third year for the MPD's involvement, and this year was the first for Fire District 8. Fire Chief Dave Patterson said his volunteers were so impressed with the event that they are doing a fund raiser to help with expenses next year.
"We appreciate the hard work and efforts of the Grant County Sheriff's Office, their staff and Undersheriff Ponozzo's guiding hand over the event," Turley said. "We are also appreciative of the Tom Boruff Foundation funding that helps defray part of the cost of the event and never forget the giant effort of WalMart Stores in Ephrata for all they do for the kids and family."