The fire department took part in the parade last weekend. (Screen Shot/YouTube)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Birthday Parade

Community comes together to help girl celebrate birthday

May 11, 2020 | 5:00 PM

A two-year-old Prince Albert girl who is currently battling Leukemia got a special kind of birthday party this past weekend.

Local residents along with police and fire department put on a parade to help Olivia Yannacoulias celebrate her second birthday.

Elizabeth Chamberlain, Olivia’s aunt, helped organize the event along with her friend Tony Wilson, said it was quite the experience for her niece, who especially enjoyed seeing the fire truck.

“Olivia was just laughing, which was great, because the fire truck was so loud, I was standing in front of it and it was so loud,” she said.

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Chamberlain explained her niece’s immune system is compromised due to her treatment, which has been made more challenging by the COVID-19 situation. She added Olivia’s parents were both feeling upset they couldn’t have a celebration.

While the parade was a celebration for Olivia, Chamberlain said the event was also appreciated by her sister and brother in law.

“They haven’t been able to go to work and they got to see all of their work friends all of them showed up and all of their family, that they haven’t been able to see for months,” she said.

Antony Yannacoulias, left, Katherine Chamberlain and Olivia watching the parade. (Submitted Photo/Todd Chamberlain)

Before the procession got going, Chamberlain said they met in a nearby parking lot. She said when she arrived she was surprised by the number of people who came out, which turned out to be over 25 cars in total. Chamberlain said the experience was an emotional one.

“Everybody was just trying to see through their tears as they were driving,” she said.

Chamberlain said when she first set out to organize the event, she didn’t think she would be able to pull it off. She encourages anyone who is considering doing something to help people to really consider pursuing it.

“People really want to get on board with things like this, they really want to support you,” she said.

(Submitted Photo/Todd Chamberlain)

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn