MAGNOLIA, Texas (May 19, 2020) – During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had their lives uprooted, and many significant events canceled or postponed. And children are no exception.
Magnolia resident Kim Browning recently had to cancel her son Jackson’s traditional seventh birthday party due to the deadly virus. But, because her son loves all things law enforcement, she reached out to her old high school classmate, Casey Hughes, who works with the Prairie View A&M University Police Department (PVAMU UPD).
“She asked me if I knew anyone in law enforcement that would be willing to participate in a birthday parade for her son, Jackson,” said Hughes. “So, I jumped at the opportunity!”
Hughes, along with UPD, arranged and organized a parade on May 15, the Friday before Jackson’s birthday.
“It was all a huge surprise for him. He knew something was happening but had no idea we planned the parade for him,” said Kim. “Once he heard the sirens, his eyes lit up, and a huge smile emerged on his face. He couldn’t stop talking about it. Not only did he get to have the police department drive by, but our family and friends did as well.”
One-by-one, party-goers dropped off birthday gifts for Jackson. Then, all of the vehicles pulled to the side of the road, and everyone got out to sing happy birthday and watch him open gifts.
“The PVAMU police officers went absolutely above and beyond anything we were expecting, and we are so grateful to everyone who helped make Jackson’s birthday special,” said Kim.
“Kim told us Jackson adores police and wants to be an officer when ‘gets big,’” said Hughes. “So, we were more than happy to do this for him.”
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