COMMUNITY | Small Act of Kindness by Bullhead City Park Employees Brings Big Joy to 5-Year-Old Boy

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — November 11, 2026 — Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. For one Bullhead City family, a simple lost dinosaur tail turned into a heartwarming reminder of the compassion and dedication found within the local community.

In a Facebook post shared in the Bullhead City Arizona community group, grandmother Sheryl Westenfelder described an experience involving her 5-year-old grandson and employees of the City of Bullhead City Parks Department.

According to Westenfelder, her grandson, who is autistic and currently nonverbal, enjoys bringing his dinosaur toy along during their daily walks.

Last week, while visiting Gary Keith Park, the young boy’s beloved dinosaur lost its tail.

What might seem like a small missing piece to some was a heartbreaking experience for the child.

His grandmother explained that they searched the park four separate times, retracing their steps in hopes of finding the missing piece. Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful.

During one of those searches, Westenfelder encountered two city park employees and mentioned the missing dinosaur tail.

Little did she know, those employees would remember their conversation.

A Veterans Day Surprise

On Veterans Day, November 11, Westenfelder returned to Gary Keith Park with her grandson to show him the large American flag waving in the wind.

As they continued along their usual walking path, a park employee approached them with unexpected news.

“We’ve been looking for you!” the employee reportedly told her.

One of the park workers had found the missing dinosaur tail.

After days of searching and disappointment, the little boy was finally reunited with the missing piece of his favorite toy.

Westenfelder shared her excitement, writing that they now had one very happy 5-year-old.

She added that although the gesture might not seem significant to everyone, it had made her grandson’s entire day.

A Community That Cares

The story highlights how small gestures from local public employees can leave lasting impressions on the families they serve.

Bullhead City’s park employees could have easily overlooked the missing toy piece. Instead, they remembered a grandmother’s concern and helped bring happiness back to a young child.

Their thoughtfulness turned an ordinary visit to the park into a special memory for one family.

Westenfelder publicly thanked the City of Bullhead City park employees for their kindness.

The Mohave Insider | Community Spotlight

At The Mohave Insider, we believe community news should also recognize the people who make Mohave County a better place to live.

While public employees often work behind the scenes, moments like these remind us that their contributions extend beyond maintaining parks and public spaces.

To the Bullhead City park employees who took the time to help reunite a little boy with his dinosaur tail: thank you for showing that kindness, compassion, and community spirit are alive and well in Mohave County.

Sometimes, being a community hero is as simple as finding a dinosaur tail.

Source: Public Facebook post by Sheryl Westenfelder in the Bullhead City Arizona community group. This article is based on her publicly shared account. The Mohave Insider has not independently verified the details with city officials.

Photo credit: Sheryl Westenfelder