See: Tri-Valley Girl Gets Drive-By Birthday Parade

LIVERMORE, CA — Concerns about the new coronavirus may have prompted Sadie Meunier and her family to cancel events to celebrate her 8th party, but her loved ones weren't about to let the big day go by unnoticed.

Sadie was devastated when her movie theater party and camping trip plans were called off as Alameda County residents sheltered in place to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, said dad Joe Meunier. But neighbors and family friends got together on a group chat and concocted a scheme to make sure her birthday was still special.

"It just speaks to community," he said. "Just because we're all stuck at home right now and we all can't be close, it doesn't mean that we're not all ... wishing we were closer together."

Friends as far as Walnut Creek wrapped Sadie's presents and met at a neighbor's house down the street from her Livermore home to decorate their cars, Meunier said.

Sadie's parents led her outside under the guise that they were taking their dog on a walk. She found a happy birthday sign on her lawn and a parade of about a dozen cars full of neighbors, family friends, soccer friends and school friends, her dad said.

Sadie was shocked. The display brought her family to tears, said friend Kim Colón, who helped coordinate the surprise.

"We're lucky to have amazing family and great friends who understand the significance of an 8-year-old's birthday," Meunier said.

Friends passed her presents through the car window. Sadie said she was thankful for her friends who showed up and gave her a photo album, homemade art, crafts, LEGOs and a sweatshirt.

But her greatest gift came from her parents: a kitty, Finn, adopted from Valley Humane Society.

In spite of the unusual circumstances, Sadie was happy and said she had a great birthday.

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