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Girl celebrates birthday by sending local police officers sweet care packages

With her birthday just around the corner, Mya Teran came up with a plan to celebrate the milestone in the best way she knew how: thanking her local police officers.
/ Source: TODAY

After a rough few weeks for police and with her birthday just around the corner, Mya Teran came up with a plan to celebrate in the best way she knew how — with care packages for her local police officers.

In the days before her 11th birthday, Mya put together 70 "police survival kits" and 20 "dispatcher care kits" that she later delivered to her police department in Wheeling, Illinois, outside Chicago.

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
"Police survival kit" that Mya Teran gave local police officers.Courtesy of Gabriela Valencia

She got the idea from her mother, Gabriela Valencia, who celebrated her 30th birthday by performing 30 acts of kindness.

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"We on a regular basis do volunteer and charity work," Gabriela told TODAY.com. "It's a value that's strong in our family."

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
Mya poses with police officers who came to her home to thank her for the care packages.Courtesy of Gabriela Valencia

Each care package was full of candy and came with a handwritten note explaining its contents: "Life Savers to remind you of the many times you've been one" and "Smarties to give you wisdom for those split second decisions."

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
Police officers stopped by Mya's home to show their appreciation.Courtesy of Gabriela Valencia

They also contained a "lucky penny to help you catch the bad guys."

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
A "dispatcher care kit" that Mya Teran gave local dispatchers.Courtesy of Gabriela Valencia

Gabriela, who said she does a lot of advocating for police safety in her spare time, said her family was proud of Mya's efforts, especially Mya’s 10-year-old stepbrother.

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“I can see him on the sidelines kind of soaking it all in," Valencia said.

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
"The best part of all of this has been the response from the police department,” Valencia said.Courtesy of Gabriela Valenica

The boy wasn't the only one inspired; the Wheeling police officers were thankful, too.

Last Thursday, the day she delivered the packages, officers began calling and stopping by her house.

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
Mya made 90 total care packages.Courtesy of Gabriela Valencia

Then, on Friday morning, police cruisers showed up on her street, and more than a dozen officers came to their door with birthday presents for Mya.

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"The best part of all of this has been the response from the police department,” Valencia said. “Their appreciation has been honest and heartfelt.”

11-year-old Mya Teran made care packages for law enforcement officials
Mya hugs a police officer who came to her home to thank her for the care packagesCourtesy of Gabriela Valenica

Valencia also believes the department's appreciation taught Mya an important lesson.

"These officers, this department, have helped me show what I can, otherwise, only preach — that if you are good to others, others will be good to you,” Valencia told TODAY in an email.

"Hopefully that's something that will shine through the rest of her life."