5-Year-Old Delivers A Big Thanks

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By David Klugh

Story Published: Jul 26, 2010 at 5:44 PM PDT

WEST VALLEY -- For families across West Valley, the Cowiche Mill fire is the kind of event kids will be telling their kids about; how fire fighters narrowly escaped a burning engine, how homes became islands in a sea of 30-foot flames, and how not a single home was lost.

It was homes like John Hillman's right up there that was completely surrounded by fire that Sunday night... And yet saved like so many other home in the West Valley. West Valley fire has received hundreds of e-mail from people just saying thank you. And then there's this 5-year-old who had his own idea about how to say thanks."

John Hillman met that 5-year old last week. "Doorbell rings and I look out and I didn't really see anyone because there's a 5-year-old and 2-year-old. He hands me an 8-and-a half by eleven sheet and it says thanks to the West Valley firemen for saving all of our houses. We could donate water and Gatorade and whatever."

Hillman and dozens of other homeowners here didn't have to think about that too long.

And, when little Dylan Jolley was finished, he'd collected more than a 1000 bottles of water and Gatorade, another thousand granola bars and trail mix.

"They put out a huge fire."

On the day of the big delivery, a happier boy did not exist in West Valley.

"They gave us food and drinks," Dylan said. And we're giving it all to the firefighters and I'm very happy about it."

And this young son's joy is eclipsed only by his mother's pride.

"You know when you first have your child you hope that they'll to selfless things and what to help others," says Brook Jolley. "But you just never know how awesome it makes you feel when he actually wants to help other people."

What Dylan may not have been expecting was the reception he got... For his generosity.

There is no question, this young man has made quite an impression.

Dave Leitch is West Valley's fire chief. "They're volunteers. They get up in the middle of the night. They worked all day but this is where it pays the dividends is when they get to see this."

And imagine the impression this day has left on a 5-year-old from West Valley who just wanted to say thanks.

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