Two local pre-school and child care facilities observed a Heroes Day on Thursday, Sept. 10, in honor of the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 attack.
"Lil Tots" pre-school and child care, operated by Lisa Chesser, and "Kid's World Child Development Center" pre-school, operated by Cathy Wagner, invited the California Police Department to send an officer to speak to the children about what police officers do and show them a police vehicle.
Officer Rafael Ayala visited both of the locations, one on Pamela Drive and the other on Lexie Lane. He spoke briefly to the young people, passed out children's badges and distributed coloring books to the young people. As the youngsters checked out the police car, he turned on the lights for the excited children. Although there were some who wanted the siren sounded, Officer Ayala declined since there were a couple of babies at one location and close neighbors at both.
Several of the young people at "Lil Tots" were dressed as emergency workers such as those who responded to the attack sites in New York and Washington, D.C. in 9-11-2001.
The youngsters at "Kid's World" made a special card for the California Police Department, and Wagner sent a box of cupcakes - one for each of the police personnel.