Happy Birthday Valentina Chavez Del Campo
On April 20, 2020, members of New Canaan Police, Fire, EMS and Public Works with a Happy Birthday Valentina Chavez Del Campo, age 6. Credit: Michael Dinan
Members of New Canaan Fire, Police, EMS and Public Works on Monday morning sounded their sirens and honked their big horns from emergency vehicles for six elementary school kids on their birthdays.
A police vehicle sounds its siren in driving slowly past six kids’ houses to surprise them with a special birthday salute as part of a new program launched April 20, 2020. Credit: Michael Dinan
As part of a newly launched birthday celebration effort, the row of public safety vehicles rolled slowly past East School kindergartner Valentina Chavez Del Campo’s home on Cross Street at 10:16 a.m. She appeared in the doorway with her family just as EMTs began serenading her with the “Happy Birthday” song, waving back.
Neighbors emerged from their own homes to see what was happening and, on realizing their young neighbor had a birthday, called out “happy birthday,” too.
Six-year-old Valentina Chavez Del Campo waves from her Cross Street home during a special birthday surprise from New Canaan fire, police, EMS and public works. Credit: Michael Dinan
“It’s the least we could do to brighten the spirits of kids in town, and everybody in town, and show people we are still here and there are still positives going on in town that we can collectively celebrate,” said Police Deputy Chief John DiFederico.
Others receiving the special birthday salutes Monday included South School kindergartner Alice Duan (six), East School fourth-grader Theodore Pemberton (10), East School kindergartner Spencer Weiner (six), West School third-garden Brady Hibbert (nine) and West School third-grader Jacob Fisher (nine).
A town Public Works vehicle travels behind the New Canaan EMS truck during the April 20, 2020 birthday celebration rollout. Credit: Michael Dinan
The idea was shared by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Bryan Luizzi during a recent daily call of emergency operations officials, DiFederico said.
More celebrations are planned for the 10 a.m. hour. District officials notified school families about the effort, DiFederico said. Emergency Management Director Mike Handler said during Sunday’s outcall that some local private schools also are part of the effort.
Thank you to the town, all New Canaan employees that came out for this and to you Michael for sharing it. I live around the block from here and know this part of Cross St filmed is a neighborhood with families with young kids. Happy Birthday Valentina, Alice, Theodor, Spencer, Brady and Jacob!