New Canaan Coronavirus Update: Birthday Visits For Kids By PD, FD

NEW CANAAN, CT — With the state still under Gov. Ned Lamont's stay-at-home orders, New Canaan has decided to try to make life a little more pleasant for K-4 students with birthdays during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The town's public safety agencies teamed up with New Canaan Public Schools, New Canaan Country School and St. Aloysius School for police, fire and EMS vehicles (depending on availability) to conduct surprise drive-by birthday visits.

The trucks will drive by a New Canaan home with lights flashing and sirens blaring to wish the child a Happy Birthday. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

"We know that birthday celebrations have had to be canceled or postponed due to restrictions on social gathering," said Mike Handler, the town's director of Emergency Management.

Handler said that parents of K-4 students do not need to contact town officials about the program, birthday information for the young students has been provided by the schools. It is only for K-4 students currently enrolled in one of the New Canaan public or private elementary schools due to capacity.

"If at all possible, I suggest that this remains a surprise to the children so that in the off chance we miss a home, your child is not disappointed," Handler said. "On the morning of your child’s birthday, please be prepared to have them wave from your front door or window between 10 am and 11 am. We ask that you not have children stand in the street. We hope this can provide a small amount of consolation to those whose birthdays seem forgotten. I would be lying if I said that this was just for the children—our first responders can certainly use something cheerful too."