A mother shared her son's story of love and appreciation during the violent unrest that hit Charlotte this week in the wake of a fatal police-involved shooting.
Mother Deanna Hooker wrote in a Facebook post about her son, who woke Tuesday night to the sound of helicopters and sirens outside the family's home.
He was afraid, Hooker said.
The next morning, on the way to school, he heard on the radio about police officers who were injured during the protests that have gripped the area since Tuesday.
"He asked me if he could bring the police donuts and give them hugs for all they do," Hooker wrote in a post shared by the popular Facebook page "Love What Matters."
And that's just what they did.
"It is amazing how much children can teach us during times like this," she wrote.
Hooker took her son to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, where he gave out hugs and donuts and told every officer he appreciated all they do to keep us safe.
Hooker shared the story on Facebook Wednesday, garnering about a dozen shares and more than 100 likes. Her photos and story were shared again Thursday night by the popular Facebook group "Love What Matters."
She wrote in full:
"I wanted to share a little story and shed some love and light on a very tough time for us in Charlotte, NC. Our streets are at war with protests and division has led to destruction and violence in our city. My son heard helicopters and sirens all night and woke up crying. We decided to send him to school the next day to offer normalcy in a tough time for our city. On the way he heard about police getting injured from protests on the radio. He asked me if he could bring the police donuts and give them hugs for all they do. It is amazing how much children can teach us during times like this. I respected his wishes and took him to the Charlotte PD where he gave out hugs and donuts and told every officer he appreciated all they do to keep us safe. This is love in its purest form and what our world needs right now."
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