Boothbay Region Ambulance Service EMS Chief Dan Gardner made a special appearance at Southport Central School on June 1. First grader Aiden Nunan was presented with a personal thank you, a certificate of appreciation, and an EMS department patch, hat and bag for sending in his own money for the department’s capital campaign to get a new ambulance.

“I got an envelope with a nice note and $6 in cash. I just sat there at my desk staring at it. It touched my heart,” said Gardner. “He (Nunan) has no idea what’s happening here today.”

When Nunan came in from recess, he was greeted by Gardner, EMS officers Tanya Bailey and Vlade Sherrill, and his parents, John Nunan and Casey Martin. Classmates cheered for him as he was recognized for his donation.

Teacher Meredith Fowlie challenged her class to an exercise in “random acts of kindness.” She gave each student $1 and told them to take it somewhere that means something to them and to increase the amount by doing chores and other services for people. “It teaches them that it’s better to give than receive,” said Fowlie. Random Acts of Kindness Week is an annual nationwide initiative. Fowlie said her classes have participated for years. A slide show of each student’s contribution can be seen on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/100057434651525/videos/453017203620525

Mother Casey Martin said they were driving around the roundabout and Aiden saw the department’s fundraising sign and said, “That’s it, that’s what I can do.” She helped him spell one word in his letter to Gardner and then “he cleaned out his lobster purse,” all $6. “He wanted to help them because they help others,” she said.

“He helped us complete our capital campaign. He’s helped the entire community,” said Gardner. After the recognition, Nunan got a private tour of the department’s newest ambulance. Gardner showed him all the equipment and explained how it is used. He told Nunan the department would be ordering an even newer album because of his help.

Though he was a little shy during the recognition, teachers Fowlie and Clark said he is not shy at all. “He’s an excited learner. Eager to go above and beyond,” said Clark.