LEAVEN KIDS OFFER HEARTFELT THANKS TO FIRST RESPONDERS

Love and appreciation flowed freely Thursday at the Mariposa Leaven Learning Center in Vacaville, where Leaven kids gifted representatives of Travis Air Force Base, local police and fire representatives and other local leaders early Valentine's Day cards.

The “Heroes of the Heart” event was truly from the heart, Leaven Kids Executive Director Mark Lillis said, as all are grateful for the care and protection granted by such dedicated first responders.

“We get to say thank you to these fantastic leaders,” Lillis emphasized. “And you'll be able to give them high-fives,” he added, to the kids.

Tiny heads clad in pink and red plastic firefighter helmets bobbed excitedly at those words, followed by a chorus of cheers.

Via video, Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of U.S. Transportation Command, thanked all for their service and shared a message to fellow leaders: “Stay humble, lead and lift up those around you.”

Vacaville Mayor John Carli advised that, should youths want to enter a life of public service, there are many career avenues to consider.

“There's so much you can do,” he pointed out. “We all work together in public service to care for your community and care for your safety.”

Carli urged kids to “explore whatever it is you want to do” and to know that anything is achievable.

Leaven Kids board president Joe Allio spoke of Travis troops as the world's first responders, as they literally respond anywhere in the world at a moment's notice when called for aid. Police and fire, he continued, work in tandem with them to ensure safety locally.

Col. Derek Salmi, commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, advised that fairyflies have the smallest hearts of all living creatures, but that doesn't make them a lesser being.

“It's not the size of the heart, it's what it's filled with,” he explained. “Keep your heart healthy by expressing gratitude, laughing and thinking about others.”

Vacaville police Chief Ian Schmutzler advised that the personal thank yous mean everything to all first responders.

“It really makes them smile to know you folks are thinking about them,” he told the kids.

Outside the Mariposa Center, the Leaven youths lined up in a horseshoe shape and handed each honoree handmade cards, high-fiving them with gusto.

Fairfield Fire Chief Matt Luckenbach was all smiles as he counted out more than a dozen cards that would e distributed to all of his fire stations.

“It means a lot to us,” he said of the annual appreciation event. He recalled distributing cards last year, which continue to positively impact firefighters.

“We have several stations where they're still pinned to the wall,” he said.

Schmutzler agreed, saying it's one of his favorite annual events.

“To know kids made the effort to give us these cards, this is really special.”

Leaven Kids provides free tutoring and mentoring to students after school in neighborhoods considered “at risk.” For more information, visit leavenkids. org.

PHOTOS BY JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER Angel Archie, 11of Vacaville exchanges a high-five with Vacaville City Councilwoman Sarah Chapman after she presented her with Valentine's Day cards and a challenge coin during a ceremony honoring first responders and public servants Thursday at The Leaven's Mariposa Center. The kids in the afterschool program made the cards. They presented them to members of the Vacaville Police and Fire Departments, Fairfield Fire Department, and the Travis Air Force Base's commander, United States Air Force Colonel Derek M. Salmi.

Vacaville Fire Department Firefighter, Josh Hotchkiss (left) and Firefighter/Paramedic Travis Skuba speak with the kids at The Leaven about how they treat a victim with medical issues during a visit Thursday at the Mariposa Center.

PHOTOS BY JOEL ROSENBAUM — THE REPORTER Travis Air Force Base's commander, United States Air Force Colonel Derek M. Salmi (rear) speaks with the kids at The Leaven's Mariposa Center Thursday during a ceremony held to thank and honor first responders and public servants by presenting them with handmade Valentine's Day cards.

Ericsson Vega, 8of Vacaville plays around with a plastic fireman's helmet that he was given during a visit from members of the Vacaville Fire Department before a ceremony held at The Leaven's Mariposa Center thanking and honoring first responders and public servants by presenting them with handmade Valentine's Day cards.