Five-year-old invents 'Kindness Day'

'It's one of those things that restores confidence in humanity. It makes you tear up.'

Five-year-old William Evertz Jr. saved up his allowance for several months in hopes of purchasing a Power Wheels police car but realized his money would better benefit others.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - On Wednesday, the Winslow Police Department in Philadelphia was surprised to see William and his mother appear at the police department with sandwiches from Subway.

"Happy kindness day," the boy told the officers, who gathered around in the processing room. He also offered a thank you card reading: "I like police officers, and we thank you for keeping our town safe. Enjoy your day!"

According to Philly.com, Police Chief George Smith greeted William and gifted him a police shirt, backpack, pens, magnets and other police memorabilia.

"I want to be a police officer," William admitted. "They keep us safe."

Chief Smith told him: "We need good police officers like you. I can't wait until you're old enough so we can hire you."

William's gift was captured on video and posted to WWBMT, where the officers are seen beaming and William is nearly left speechless.

Detective Sgt. Ray Cogan, an 18-year veteran on the force and father of two, explained just how much William's act of kindness meant to the police station and to officers across the United States:

"It's one of those things that restores confidence in humanity. It makes you tear up. It's nice to see that you're still the good guy."

Since the Dallas shootings, many police departments have seen an outpouring of encouragement from their communities. The Winslow police department has seen letters of appreciation, baked goods and kind words.

"The world definitely needs more people like [William]. It definitely goes a long way," Officer Justin Valentino, a seven-year veteran, said.

William didn't stop at the gift of sandwiches. He planned the entire day, which consisted of donating toys and school supplies to a domestic shelter and another offering of food and toys to an animal shelter.

Williams' mother, Tara, explained her son got the idea for Kindness Day from watching a YouTube video of someone donating money to a person in need.

"I think it means a lot to him," she added. "It's a good lesson to teach our kids. I'm really proud of him."

William simply stated, "I got so much toys, I'm taking them to the kids."

Even the Mayor, Barry Wright, commended the boy. As a retired officer, Wright promised Wiiliam can wear his Badge No. 23 one day, offered him a temporary police photo ID and told him, "I'm so proud of you. You can be chief some day."

Local 10 ABC reported William also offered $25 to a family who needed help paying for daycare.

As an extra thank-you for offering the officers a chance to "rest," William was offered a ride home in a police car that lit its lights and played its siren.

As a five-year-old, William has a long way to go but in time he can hopefully enter a police force  offering peace in an accepting and respectful world.

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