US community surprises boy with birthday parade

The surprise drive-by birthday party in an Arlington, Virginia neighbourhood was organized on social media by Ashley Johnson, an accountant who met Lee while volunteering at a homeless shelter in Washington four years ago.

Virginia: A fire truck blared its sirens. Police cruisers flashed their lights. Dozens of families in cars decorated with balloons honked horns, raised handmade signs, and wished Jessiah Lee a happy sixth birthday.

The surprise drive-by birthday party in an Arlington, Virginia neighbourhood was organized on social media by Ashley Johnson, an accountant who met Lee while volunteering at a homeless shelter in Washington four years ago.

This year, she wanted to throw him a Lego-themed party — but then, COVID-19 intervened.

When the pandemic disrupted the surprise plan for Jessiah's sixth birthday, Johnson didn't give up hope. She quickly formed a new plan.

With the help of a local fire station, police officers, and dozens of neighbours, Johnson coordinated a surprise birthday parade in less than 24 hours.

"They were honking cheering. People had signs, they brought gifts," Johnson recalled.

Melissa Jones, Jessiah Lee's mother, was moved by the community effort. "It goes to show the kindness that's still in people's hearts as far as just making that day happy for him. Making that day memorable for him," she said.

When Jones asked Lee if saw fire trucks in the parade, he responded excitedly, "Yeah, I saw police too!"

"I'm a single mother of six so the fact that Jessiah can experience certain things that in our area he would never be able to experience, it just touched my soul," Jones said.

Johnson was moved, too. "It's a heartwarming experience that I'll never forget," she said.

(AP)