Purolator goes ‘above and beyond’ for Welland boy’s 12th birthday party
Fire trucks and police cars with their sirens blaring excite many kids.
Nolan Rouillard prefers courier vehicles delivering packages from Amazon.
Celebrating his 12th birthday this past weekend, the Welland boy living with special needs — he has cri-du-chat syndrome, a rare genetic condition caused by the deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5 — was given a surprise that took him on an emotional ride.
His family arranged for Rob Valentine, a local Purolator driver, to be the grand finale of a drive-by parade held for the boy in north Welland Sunday.
He parked at the start out the route, away from their house, and all Nolan’s gifts were loaded into the back of his truck.
When he arrived at the end of the driveway, Nolan was overwhelmed, his mother Ashley said.
“He was ecstatic, shaking and couldn’t get on the truck fast enough.”
Keeping an eye on the neighbourhood and watching for deliveries is one of Nolan’s favourite things to do.
“He watches for Amazon every day, even if there isn’t a package coming,” she said.
Valentine decorated his truck and even delivered some gifts for Nolan on behalf of the company, including a Purolator-themed Lego set. He also brought him a Purolator water bottle and tuque.
“They didn’t have to do this. They went above and beyond,” said Rouillard, extremely appreciative of the gesture and the company sending a driver to her son’s party.
“They’re busy right now, working a lot of hours.”
Valentine said he was delighted to participate, a result of a Facebook post: Nolan’s family was looking for a way to feed his love for delivery trucks on his birthday.
“I just feel bad for kids right now. They can’t go anywhere. They can’t do anything,” said Valentine, adding he “can’t imagine” what the pandemic is like for a child with special needs.
The reaction from Nolan when he arrived was very special.
“He was just jacked right up when he got in that truck,” Valentine said.