Boy, 5, Sends Baby Yoda Doll to Front Line Oregon Firefighters: ‘In Case You Get Lonely’

Boy, 5, Sends Baby Yoda Doll to Front Line Oregon Firefighters: ‘In Case You Get Lonely’
(Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
10/7/2020
Updated:
10/7/2020

A 5-year-old boy from Scappoose, Oregon, was so distressed about the raging wildfires in his state that he decided he wanted to help the firefighters. His grandmother took him to the store, and the little boy’s carefully chosen gift is now a front line mascot.

Sasha Tinning took her grandson, Carver, shopping for supplies to contribute to a donation drive for firefighters in the Oregonian cities of Molalla and Colton. Carver soon found the perfect way, in his opinion, to send a little positive force to the front lines: a Baby Yoda doll that he found on a toy aisle.

For those unfamiliar with “The Child,” more commonly known as Baby Yoda, the little green character is from the Star Wars Disney+ original television series The Mandalorian.

Carver, 5, with Baby Yoda before sending his care package. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Carver, 5, with Baby Yoda before sending his care package. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)

The thoughtful Carver, who likes to make people smile, thought that the firefighters needed the Baby Yoda doll more than he did. He then put together a care package, including the toy and a handwritten note.

“Carver walked up, and he had his mask, and he said he was bringing something for the firefighters,” Tinning told Fox 12 Oregon.

“Thank you, firefighters,” he penned on the note. “Here is a friend for you, in case you get lonely. Love, Carver.”

Firefighters take turns carrying Baby Yoda on front line expeditions. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Firefighters take turns carrying Baby Yoda on front line expeditions. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Tinning voiced appreciation for the firefighters putting their lives on the line to battle the wildfires. “To have a little bit of sunshine during such a dark time, I think that’s really special for them,” she told CNN, praising Carver’s choice of toy for being “just cute as the dickens.”

The 5-year-old’s thoughtfulness hit the spot. Days later, the head of the donation drive, Tyler Eubanks, reported back to Tinning that the firefighters loved Baby Yoda. He was accompanying them everywhere.

Baby Yoda with a battle-ready head wrap printed with the American flag. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Baby Yoda with a battle-ready head wrap printed with the American flag. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Front line crews even set up a Facebook group, “Baby Yoda fights fires,” to document the comforting doll’s adventures with his new brigade. The toy, a friend for all, has since been passed from camp to camp. On one expedition, he made it as far as Canada.

At the time of writing, Baby Yoda is bringing a little force to the firefighting effort in Boulder, Colorado. His fan page has 44,753 followers and counting.

Appreciative fire crews with Baby Yoda. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)
Appreciative fire crews with Baby Yoda. (Courtesy of Tyler Eubanks)

The cherubic future Jedi master is spreading joy even beyond the front lines, but the front lines are where it’s needed most.

“These firefighters are away from their children, their loved ones,” Tinning reflected. “This is a little pal that brings a bit of normalcy to a crazy time.”
In this aerial view from a drone, people walk through a mobile-home park destroyed by fire on Sept. 10, 2020, in Phoenix, Ore. Hundreds of homes in the town have been lost due to wildfire. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
In this aerial view from a drone, people walk through a mobile-home park destroyed by fire on Sept. 10, 2020, in Phoenix, Ore. Hundreds of homes in the town have been lost due to wildfire. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
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Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
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