Coronavirus Cancels LI Girl's Birthday; Neighbors Come To Rescue

PORT WASHINGTON, NY—The new coronavirus has forced Long Islanders to drastically change how they celebrate the milestones in life. From birthdays to anniversaries, celebrations today look incredibly different than they did a month ago.

No one knows that better than 8-year-old Charlotte Sally Panullo of Port Washington. Her March 26 birthday party was canceled due to the coronavirus. However, her mother, Natalya, was determined to make her little daughter's special day a memorable one.

Natalya reached out to friends and neighbors and requested that they drive by their house at 3 p.m. to wish her daughter a happy birthday—from a safe distance, of course. The community didn't disappoint.

"When we drove by the house, the whole family, Greg, Natalya, big sister Laura and her twin brother Thomas and Charlotte were standing outside cheering, and even grandparents, Mary Jane and Thomas Panullo, were waving and cheering from their windows upstairs," Jill Froccaro Miscioscia, a family friend who participated in the birthday celebration, said.

A happy stream of more than 20 cars passed by Charlotte's home to help her celebrate her big day. Some neighbors passed by their house with balloons and "happy birthday" signs hanging out the windows. Of course, it was all accompanied by plenty of cars and SUVs, with the drivers honking in unison.

"Charlotte’s face was filled with excitement as she waved and blew kisses and thanked everyone who drove by!" Froccaro Miscioscia said. "Even though this is a terrible, unforgettable time in all our lives, we all came together with love to make a beautiful memory we will never forget."

Watch video of Charlotte Sally Panullo's birthday celebration:

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