AMR delivers mini-parades for children’s birthdays in Colorado Springs while social distancing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Springs ambulance service is giving mini-parades to children in the city to celebrate their birthdays during the coronavirus.

After gathering at a designated location, the American Medical Response team joins other emergency and law-enforcement vehicles to parade past the home of a birthday boy or girl. Lights and chirping sirens play to deliver birthday wishes to the child as they stay at home.

Jesse Baker, the operations manager for AMR in Colorado Springs, says this activity is intended to bring festivity to children's birthdays while social distancing prevents gathering with friends.

"It's easy to lose sight of how difficult this situation has been for children and young people," Baker said. "Although they're no substitute for a proper party, hopefully the memory of our mini-parades will remain with these kids for a long time to come. We're doing what we can to make their special days special."

The Maldonado family says the parade passed by their home to celebrate their son Gabriel's fourth birthday.

“He was bummed because we couldn’t have the traditional birthday party," said the father Estevan. "So to be able to have everyone show up like that and show support and celebrate him was pretty amazing.” 

Andrea Sinclair waved at the first responders wishing her a happy birthday.

"We’re not able to celebrate like we usually," Sinclair said. "But we can come up with other creative ways to celebrate and make moments special. So yeah, this is super meaningful.”

Families wishing to request a birthday parade may submit their request to shrcommunity@elpasoco.com.

AMR is asking parade observers to remain on their property and comply with social distancing from the ambulances and other vehicles involved.