A Heartfelt Thank You from Coastal Edge: Celebrating the Heroes Among Us
This past Saturday at Coastal Edge Pembroke, we had the incredible honor of hosting our 5th Annual Local Heroes Day—a celebration that reminded us just how lucky we are to call Virginia Beach home. From the moment the first fire truck rolled into the parking lot to the final handshakes and hugs, the day was filled with joy, connection, and deep appreciation for the people who serve our city every single day.
Our parking lot at Pembroke Square came alive with energy as families gathered to meet the real heroes of our community—first responders from the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, 911 Dispatch, K9 and Bomb Units, SWAT, Beach Rescue, and more. Their presence wasn’t just impressive—it was humbling. These are the people who rush toward danger when others step back. They work tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front lines to keep our neighborhoods safe, and Saturday gave us a chance to say a small but heartfelt “thank you.”
We were proud to treat our guests to an afternoon of free food, fun, and celebration. Mission BBQ brought their signature comfort food, Kona Ice kept everyone cool with sweet treats, and our first 100 visitors walked away with free Coastal Edge Local Heroes Day t-shirts. Children lit up with excitement as they explored emergency vehicles, watched K9 demos, played in bounce houses, and met some truly incredible officers and volunteers. The Sheriff’s Office was even on hand offering free child ID kits, making safety a priority while connecting with families in a meaningful way.
At the heart of it all was community. We saw kids asking officers about their gear, parents thanking paramedics for their service, and neighbors sharing stories of courage and kindness. Events like this are about more than just fun—they’re about building bridges between the people who serve and the people they protect. And if the smiles, handshakes, and heartfelt conversations were any indication, we did just that.
To every first responder who took time out of their day to be with us: thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice, your strength, and your unshakable commitment to Virginia Beach. To our community: thank you for showing up, for supporting our heroes, and for making Coastal Edge more than just a store—we’re a part of something much bigger, and that’s because of you.
We’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration, but for now, we’re still smiling from this past weekend. From all of us at Coastal Edge, thank you for making Local Heroes Day at Pembroke so special. We’re proud to stand beside you, to serve this city, and to honor the people who make it great.
With gratitude,
The Coastal Edge Team
