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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on a six-year-old boy spending his day as a garbage man (all times local):
1:20 p.m.
After dreaming of being a garbage man for years, Ethan Dean, 6, finally has his wish.
In a series of stops in Sacramento, Ethan helped the city get rid of its waste, wearing a neon worker's vest and cape that say "Hero Ethan." Hundreds of people came out to cheer him along the way, with handmade signs and loud cheers.
The Rancho Cordova, California, boy who suffers from cystic fibrosis got to be a garbage man for the day thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sam Thurman, who drove the garbage truck, says Ethan couldn't wipe the grin from his face all day. He says he looked like it was Christmas morning and he was opening his first present.
At one stop, someone asked Ethan what the best part of his day has been so far. He smiled and said it's "cleaning up garbage."
He ended his day of fun at the state Capitol, where hundreds of people cheered him on.
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12 a.m.
Ethan Dean is living his dream.
The six-year-old Rancho Cordova, California boy who suffers from cystic fibrosis will get to be a garbage man for the day thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Just like he's always wanted.
He has a garbage truck bedspread and pillow. He has garbage truck toys. He's had a garbage truck birthday party. Now, he'll have the garbage truck driver experience.
Ethan will make five stops in his garbage truck, picking up trash and recyclables along the way, before stopping at the state Capitol for a press conference and VIP lunch.
The choice of wish was not a surprise to his dad, Ken Dean. He says he knew it would be about garbage trucks. His son has watched them coming down the street since he learned to crawl.
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