By Kayla Simas
Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Jasmine and Cynthia Mora, who went from being foster parents to adopting three-year-old Caiden in July, knew this Christmas needed to be extra special for them.
Aside from the presents neatly wrapped beneath the Christmas tree inside their Mariner’s Harbor home, Caiden was received an early Christmas gift — a surprise drive-by parade Saturday evening in Mariners Harbor outside of the family’s house.
Organizer Tyler Dizengoff, a Richmond Town resident, heard about the Moras and knew he wanted to do something for Caiden’s first Christmas being adopted.
Dizengoff does drive-by parades for Staten Island children who are battling illnesses such as cancer; he also recently organized a drive-by for longtime EMT Brian Demarest’s three-year-old daughter last year.
"[Caiden] isn’t sick, I’m doing it for Caiden because he is living a better life being adopted,” Dizengoff told the Advance/SILive.com. “He wants to be a police officer when he grows up, so he looks up to the police and they will be there today for the drive-by parade, as well as Chase, from Paw Patrol, which is his favorite.”
The drive-by parade — consisting of first responders from NYPD to FDNY members — made its way down Netherland Avenue with sirens blazing, and even dropped off gifts for the family.
Caiden was also given several toys and NYPD patches to remember the day forever.
Cynthia Mora thanked everyone for their acts of kindness, and said today will leave “footprints in our hearts forever.”
“By having our brothers and sisters of law enforcement by to show love and put a huge smile on our son’s face makes all first responders impressionable, leaving a positive memory that Caiden will never forget,” said Cynthia. “Caiden’s adoption journey is a book, every day is a new page, with adventures to tell, lessons to learn, and tales of good deeds to remember.”
Caiden got to shake hands with Chase from Paw Patrol and take photos while they waited for the parade to begin.
As NYPD vehicles, FDNY firetrucks, EMS vehicles, and a motorcycle drove by, Caiden was filled with laughter and had a big smile across his face.
Jasmine Mora said Caiden received the “greatest gift by having a lifetime positive memory; Caiden admires law enforcement.”
Caiden got the opportunity to sit in an NYPD vehicle, on a motorcycle, and inside a firetruck, making the three-year-old’s day one of the best and one he’ll never forget.
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