Stafford Neighbors Save Girl's Birthday With Bash From A Distance

STAFFORD, NJ — It may feel insignificant as New Jersey deals with the novel coronavirus. But Makenzie still felt bummed out that she wouldn't be able to celebrate her fifth birthday with her friends at school.

However, Makenzie celebrated her birthday Thursday like few have before. Much of her Cedar Run neighborhood got involved, from a safe distance.

Makenzie's mother, Kelly Abbato, texted a couple friends the night before. Abbato asked them to spread the word to neighbors to maybe put up "happy birthday" signs in their windows if they could.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

Abbato took a walk Thursday with Makenzie, when they heard someone playing, "Who Let the Dogs Out" by the Baha Men.

"I couldn’t imagine where it was coming," Abbato told Patch. "I thought, ‘Everyone is in their house, quarantined. Who’s having a party?’"

It turned out, much of the neighborhood.

A neighbor played the song on her porch for them, but that was only the beginning of Makenzie's celebration. Houses around the neighborhood set up signs and and balloons. One neighbor tied flowers from her garden in a ribbon and gave them to Makenzie.

They walked through the neighborhood to see street art, a customized banner and more. Ten to 15 households participated, all while maintaining a safe distance to slow the spread of the virus.

It came as a surprise even to Abbato that so many neighbors participated. Later that night, Makenzie still sang "Who Let the Dogs Out."

"She’s still talking about it," Abbato said. "At the end of the night, she goes, ‘This is the best day ever.’"

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.