There’s no shortage of community spirit in Grand Falls-Windsor.
No doubt neighbours, friends, and strangers take care of their own. This was proven this week as three little girls celebrated their birthdays amid the COVID-19 social distancing protocols, without big planned birthday parties.
Neveah Guy is in kindergarten and was excited to pass her invitations out to her classmates at school for the first time. However, she never had the chance when schools closed during the week of her birthday. The young girl was obviously sad.
"I couldn't invite my friends and I cried until mommy explained the virus,” she told Saltwire Network.
But along with her surprise family birthday party, her mom Sarah Guy planned her birthday on March 20, a trip to a local grocery store made her sixth birthday. Her mom took to Facebook, which is a rare occurrence for her, to share the story.
“Everyone hears about random acts of kindness, but never did I once think it would happen to us!” Sarah Guy’s Facebook post stated. “This morning while at Dominion the store manager, Chris Burry, made my daughter’s day! It's her birthday and giving everything that's going on her party had been cancelled.”
While waiting in line Neveah spoke up that it was her birthday, and after wishing her a happy birthday, Burry left. He came back with a birthday cake, an Elsa Barbie doll and hair chaulk pack for the young birthday girl.
“I was so happy I almost cried and I said thank you to him,” Neveah said.
“She was beyond floored as was I!” Sarah Guy’s Facebook post said. “We both said thank you, as we were walking out of the store she looks at me and says that she felt like crying because she was so happy! So a huge shoutout to Chris Burry … You really made her day! Thank you!”
As of the morning of March 23, there were 336 comments, 538 shares and 1,000 likes/reactions to Sarah’s post.
Claire Sheppard turned seven on March 23. She and her family had quite a surprise as well, thanks to friends and neighbours and a motorcade led by the RCMP in Claire’s honour.
Claire’s mom, Ally Sheppard, said they had no idea any of this was happening.
“Our friends Angel and Duncan Osmond (an RCMP officer) told us they would be by 5:30 p.m. with a surprise but never imagined it would be something like that,” Ally said.
Claire said she couldn’t believe this was all for her. She was speechless and in awe while it happened.
“She is so thankful and because of all attention from the parade and messages calls, etc., she didn’t have a chance to even think about the fact she wasn’t having a party with friends,” Ally said. “This will be a birthday we will never forget. We are forever grateful that we live in such a great community.”
Brittney Penton turned 10 on March 22, and the family had to make the heart-wrenching decision to cancel her party with family and friends.
Her mom Denise MacKenzie reached out through Facebook asking people to send her virtual birthday wishes, and the entire family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love.
“Due to social distancing, we are hosting a virtual birthday party for her,” a Facebook post on March 22 stated. “This year it’s a different birthday celebration. Traditionally, my dad (Hector MacKenzie) would call and sing her Happy Birthday and she is certainly missing that this year, but not as much as she’s missing her dad. Cory is still in Alberta taking each day as it comes. It’s a very trying time on our hearts, especially hers.”
She received hundreds of messages, doorstep surprises, SUV decorations, videos, texts, face times, phone calls, porch visits and notes.
“I would like to thank all the people who contributed in any way for Brittney to receive over 400 birthday wishes,” MacKenzie told Saltwire Network. “It absolutely made all our day and it certainly helped fill the void of her pop being in heaven this birthday and her father still away working. I heard her gut giggle again for the first time in a while.”
