VIDEO: Students Thank Local Police and Firefighters

Three children walked into the Central Avenue Fire Station on Monday afternoon, holding cookies and treats. They were looking for a fireman.

"Whats this for?" asked Highland Park Fireman Joe Schrage as he accepted the gifts. 

"For all the wonderful things you do," said eight-year-old Hayden Gansberg.

"Oh, just saving ya in general?" Schrage asked, a little bewildered.

Hayden's mother, Lisa Beth Gansberg, explained. She said the news of Sunday night prompted the kids to show their gratitude to local heroes.

"This morning we were discussing that we're very lucky to live in a place where they catch the bad guys and keep us safe," she said.

"Ah, well thank you!" Schrage said. "You guys want helmets and tattoos? That's the fun stuff."

Lisa Beth spent Monday afternoon and evening driving Hayden and his 6-year-old sister, Mallory, to fire houses and police stations in Highland Park, Deerfield and Northbrook, where they dropped off gift certificates, cakes and coffee donated by local stores. They were joined by Hayden's classmate, 8-year-old Kaleb Briles, as well as Briles' parents, Bryson and Lisa. Bryson is an Army officer.

"They woke up this morning and were very lucky to realize how safe they are," Lisa Beth told Lt. Dan Zerfass at the North Fire Station.

"Thank you so much," Zerfass said. "I've got goosebumps."

After gathering donations from Trader Joe's, Jewel, , , Deerfield Bakery, McDonald's and Garden Fresh, Lisa Beth gathered her two kids, met up with the Briles family and began making the rounds. She said she wanted her children to understand the significance of bin Laden's death without encouraging them to celebrate it.

"I don't think we want to teach the children to dance on anyone's grave, so to speak," she said. "But let them celebrate the people they know do things for them every single day."

While the children played in firetrucks at each of the stations, many of the firemen shook hands with and thanked Kaleb's father, who was dressed in his military uniform.

"It was a phenomenal experience," Lisa Beth said. "They were incredibly receptive."

Click on the image above to watch a video.