Kindness is not forgotten
From left: MLPD Officer Ray Lopez, Officer Joaquin Espinoza, Kathryn Snyder, Bridget Snyder, Amelia Snyder and Zachary Snyder.
Rebecca Pettingill/Columbia Basin Herald
For Amelia Snyder’s seventh birthday, she chose to make cards for Moses Lake Police officers, pictured.
Amelia Snyder, left, was excited when Moses Lake Police officers showed up at her home to thank her for her kind notes and cookies the week before. Amelia’s brother Zachary wasn’t far behind.
MLPD officers Ray Lopez and Joaquin Espinoza brought Amelia a gift for her kindness.
MOSES LAKE — An act of kindness by a child caught the attention of the Moses Lake Police Department this past week.
“I asked her why she did it,” said Kathryn Snyder, mother of the little girl. “I was like ‘Why wouldn’t you want any presents? Why did you want to do this?’ and she goes ‘Because I love them.’”
On Wednesday, the Moses Lake Police Department put up a post on Facebook saying they needed the public’s help in locating a child who had come to the MLPD office the week before.
The post stated that on Dec. 23 around 11:30 a.m., a little girl came into the office with cookies and handmade paper hearts with messages of encouragement for the officers. Due to the call load the department was experiencing that day, she was not able to meet with any officers when dropping off her notes. The department wanted to track her down to thank her and give her the chance to meet some officers.
The power of social media worked and the department was in contact with the girl’s mother Thursday morning.
Snyder explained that when she asked her daughter Amelia, who was turning 7, what she wanted for her birthday, Amelia said she wanted to make hearts for the police officers. Snyder said she was surprised by this request and wasn’t sure where it came from.
“So, I was like ‘Do you want any presents?’” Snyder said. “She goes ‘No, I just want to do this.’”
Snyder said because that was Amelia’s only request, she wanted to make sure it happened. She added that Amelia still got a birthday gift but ensured that they followed through on the notes.
“I had to make it happen,” said Snyder. “I mean, because that’s all she’s asking for – it’s pretty simple.”
Snyder said that while she didn’t expect that kind of birthday request from her young daughter, it wasn’t a surprise because her daughter is always thinking of others and doing kind things. She said it makes her feel good because she and her husband try to teach their children to be kind to others and to see the good in law enforcement. Her daughter thinking this up on her own really let her know the kind of heart Amelia has, she added.
“I was speechless when it came out of her mouth because I was not expecting it,” said Snyder.
Snyder said she almost couldn’t cut out the hearts fast enough to keep up with her daughter decorating them. Amelia also let her older brother Zachary decorate one as well.
“She let him do one but she did all the rest,” Snyder said.
MLPD officers Ray Lopez and Joaquin Espinoza arrived at the family’s home Thursday afternoon to bring Amelia a small thank-you gift for her kindness. Amelia was so happy and gave each officer a hug.
“I think she’s always one that will think of others no matter what,” said Snyder.
Amelia said her kindness has already inspired Zachary to want to do something similar for his next birthday.
“Guess what heart I have?” Amelia asked. “A kind heart.”
Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.
