(JKPL) — On April 28, 2021, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library hosted a heartwarming happy 6th birthday surprise celebration for junior library volunteer Alexandra Demapan Birnbrich. Team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library collaborated with the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services and Island Apparel to make Alexandra’s birthday wish come true.
Alexandra is a beautiful 6-year-old girl who has a chronic medical condition and autism. Last year during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, like most children she spent her 5th birthday at home sheltering in place. While at home, she read books and played with her fire trucks. For her 6th birthday, Alexandra asked her mother Beth who works at JKPL as technical services librarian if it would be possible to visit a real fire truck.
“I thought we were just going to pay a quick visit to the fire station and take a quick picture with one of the fire trucks. Nothing fancy just low key,” stated Beth Demapan.
Well, she was in for a big surprise! In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library reached out to the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Dennis Mendiola. He and his team humbly accepted JKPL’s request.
Team JKPL then reached out to Island Apparel and shared junior library volunteer Alexandra’s story to Ed Calvo and his team. Island Apparel proceeded to sponsor beautiful shirts for Alexandra’s birthday.
On the day of her birthday, Team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library under the leadership of Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi went full force with the Bookmobile along with Cookie Monster and Elmo to welcome the birthday celebrant! Team JKPL set up a beautiful library display, light refreshments, and a beautiful fire truck birthday cake.
“On behalf of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and your library friends, we wish you a happy 6th birthday!” Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi. “We know how much you’ve had to battle medically, and we wanted to celebrate something truly special to thank you for loving the library and growing up in and at the library. When you were one and two years old you celebrated your birthday at the library by throwing the first open community birthday celebration, followed by the second community birthday celebration the following year. You shared your cake and gifts with the community. When you were 3, and 4, you were in the hospital undergoing countless medical testing and procedures. When you were 5 you stayed home because of Covid-19. We want you to remember and experience something magical this year!” Naputi added.
With all the pieces in place, Alexandra along with her mother visited the Susupe Fire Station early that morning and were mightily surprised!
The library director presented her with the beautifully printed shirts from Island Apparel honoring Autism Awareness Month in April and fire trucks. Meanwhile, Team DFEMS welcomed birthday celebrant Alexandra with open arms. They escorted her ride onto the fire truck; guided her on how to hold the fire hose and even the “jaws of life.” They demonstrated proper use of these life-saving tools. They sang to her Happy Birthday, and awarded her with a beautiful certificate honoring her as an honorary fire fighter for the day. Alexandra’s birthday was truly special!
“On behalf of our family, we humbly thank you all so much!” stated an emotional Beth Demapan.
“Alexandra definitely feels the love. Thank you all for taking the time to come out here and celebrate Alexandra’s birthday surprise. We appreciate all the hard work and effort taken to put this amazing and heartwarming event together. Thank you and Si Yuús Maáse, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, DFEMS, and Island Apparel!”
Thank you to the entire amazing team of Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services under the leadership of DFEMS Commissioner Dennis Mendiola. Thank you to general manager Ed Calvo and his team at Island Apparel, and for all the amazing people of Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and its Bookmobile Outreach Services for surprising dear Alexandra and making her 6th birthday a one to truly remember!
“Happy Birthday, Alexandra! We love you, and may the Lord continue to bless you! Thank you for including us as part of your 6th Birthday!”
