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Sage Kiernan-Sherrow<\/strong> |\u00a0 News Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Founded by Jean Love in 2017, the Thoughts and Gifts Project is a public charity which brings birthday gifts and other celebratory items to underserved children and qualifying seniors across Polk County. Now, the Polk County Fire Department and Monmouth Police are partnering with the Thoughts and Gifts Project to accompany those gifts with a birthday parade \u2014 complete with a show of lights and sirens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fire Inspector, Troy Crafton, said they took on the project after COVID-19 slowed down their overall workload. Though Crafton and his team are still giving public education courses \u2014 featuring topics like fire safety and home escape plans \u2014 the birthday parades are a positive inclusion to the work day. Once a week, every Tuesday at 10 a.m., the allied departments make their rounds across Monmouth-Independence; Jean Love brings the donations and takes the photographs for social media as police cars and fire trucks start their sirens \u2014 an indication that they\u2019re well on their way. When they reach the home with the birthday child or senior citizen, they\u2019re greeted with smiles and joy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been no bad publicity,\u201d said Crafton. \u201cI would figure the noise might irritate the elderly folks, but they all come out to celebrate and it\u2019s been an overwhelmingly positive experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of Jean Love, Crafton said \u201cshe\u2019s had more donations this year than she\u2019s ever had\u201d and that she calls her garage where she keeps the gifts \u201cWalmart.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To donate to or apply for the Thoughts and Gifts Project, visit thoughtsandgifts.org<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n