SOUTHWICK -Trying to comprehend the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic can be daunting, especially for a 5-year-old anticipating his long-awaited Incredible Hulk sixth birthday party on May 1.
“Keith and I broke the news to Caleb the first week of April that his Incredible Hulk birthday party was going to have to be postponed because of the coronavirus,” said Erica Ireland. The family of five lives on Ed Holcomb Road.
As one would expect, Caleb asked “why?”
“We explained that we wanted to keep everyone safe from the bad germs spreading and we were going to continue practicing social distancing for a while,” said Ireland.
A surprise drive-by birthday parade is slated May 1 in Southwick for Caleb Ireland who will celebrate his sixth birthday. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
For a young boy who had enjoyed birthday themes including Batman, Spiderman, Ninja Turtles and Minions, he was “frustrated and sad,” according to Ireland.
Despite family discussions on what was happening around the world, Caleb kept asking his parents, “When is this virus going to end? I miss my friends.”
“Our hearts are broken, the same as everyone else,” said Ireland.
Caleb, who is in kindergarten, asks his parents daily when he can see his friends, have play dates, and ride the school bus again.
“Keith and I keep reassuring him that once the coronavirus goes away, and everything is cleaned really well, that the states will allow schools to reopen,” said Ireland. “We have told our sons that they need to keep washing their hands and staying healthy, and that their bodies will fight off the bad germs.”
While we now know that Gov. Charlie Baker has extended the closure of all public and private schools through the end of the school year, Caleb will continue his distance learning programs at home.
“His teacher is Mrs. Kristen Schindel and she is the best,” said Ireland. “She was able to figure out Caleb’s personality the first week into her classroom. He has a lot of energy and she found new ways to help him focus and learn so much.”
While the Ireland family – and everyone else – learns to adapt to a new “normal,” Ireland was energized when she saw a Facebook post by Southwick Police Chief Kevin Bishop.
“I read about drive-by birthday parades and if parents sent out a request to the police chief via email they would attempt to make it if no emergencies came up,” said Ireland.
As a surprise for Caleb, Ireland is hopeful that the police department will be able to lead a birthday parade on May 1, with staging starting at 10:40 a.m., from Secluded Ridge, a road off of Vining Hill Road.
“People in the birthday parade for Caleb can decorate their cars if they want,” said Ireland, adding the importance of practicing social distancing and wearing a face mask when appropriate.
Ireland added that the Granville Police Department also anticipates participating in the parade, as well as the Southwick Fire Department, Red’s Towing, Interstate Towing, His and Hers Towing, and Carrabba’s CARES Catering.
“Caleb loves all superheroes, big monster trucks and motorcycles,” said Ireland. “He’s a typical little boy, missing his friends and not totally understanding why he can’t go to school and see them yet.”
Caleb also “loves” Power Wheels and riding around in his yard.
For area residents who would enjoy making Caleb’s birthday extra special, the Ireland family extends a welcome for anyone who would like to drive by their home around 11 a.m.
“All are invited, honk those horns, sing, bring some joy to a normally very quiet country road,” said Ireland.
Police Chief Kevin Bishop noted in his Facebook post that the officers enjoy themselves as much as the children do during the parade celebrations.
“Fire Chief Anderson and I have decided, during these uncertain times, to make an attempt to have a fireman and policeman at your family sponsored drive-by birthday parade,” said Bishop. “So having said this, kids, talk to your parents and see if they will send a request for us to drive-by your home on your birthday.”
Bishop added that if any kind of emergency or call for service should occur, the firefighters or police officers may not be able to make it but will make every effort to attend.
Bishop can be reached via email to [email protected] or message him at his personal Facebook page, Kevin Bishop, and include the date, home address, time of the drive-by, meeting location for the parade staging, gender and age of the person being recognized.
When reached by phone, Bishop noted that in the past week two girls enjoyed birthday drive-by celebrations, and in the coming days, a 92-year-old woman will be surprised, as well as several 8- and 9-year-olds.
“I think it’s a nice break for our officers and firefighters to see the smiles of children as we drive by,” said Bishop.
