By patricio robayo

WHITE LAKE — For one young boy, Mason Houghtaling, the past couple of weeks have been hard on him as he is no longer attending pre-school due to the concerns over COVID-19.

Social distancing, along with no mass gatherings of 10 or more, has also caused birthday celebrations to be canceled.

Not only could he not celebrate his birthday with his friends, Mason unexpectedly lost his grandmother, Peggy Galligan.

During these days of isolation and uncertainly, fire companies across the county wanted children not to feel alone.

Fallsburg, White Lake, Loch Sheldrake, Woodbourne, and others have taken up the challenge to brightening up the day for those children under 12 who have had their birthday parties canceled.

The fire companies are driving to the children's homes with their lights and horns blaring to help celebrate a special day in a child's life.

When Mason's mother, Alexa Houghtaling, saw on social media that the firemen were offering their services to cheer up the children of the community, she knew it was something she wanted to do for her son on April 1.

“Our son Mason is a big fan of firemen, firehouses and fire trucks, so we jumped at the chance to have a birthday fire truck drive by, and we were delighted that so many members of our community joined together to make his day,” said Houghtaling.

The White Lake Fire Department, along with the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Bethel EMS, Bethel Constables, Fox's Garage and T & T Auto body joined in for Mason's birthday celebration.

And no birthday celebration for Mason would not be complete without his favorite birthday dinner - pizza courtesy of Sorella's Pizzeria.

Mason's parents are life-long Sullivan County residents and said, “We couldn't be more proud to raise our son in this community, where neighbors look out for neighbors.”

Houghtaling added, “We are so grateful to our community and to the generosity of the White Lake Fire Department for making our son's fifth birthday one he'll never forget.”

Afterward, White Lake Fire Department First Assistant Chief Brendon Cunningham said, “It was really a humbling experience, and something we will all cherish forever. We have invited Mason to the fire station when all this virus stuff is over.”

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Contributed Photo

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Contributed Photo