In a heartwarming demonstration of community spirit, residents of Great Barrington rallied together to celebrate the 20th birthday of Shelby Lewis, who has cerebral palsy and is nonverbal. Shelby’s sister, Rose Lewis, posted on Facebook inviting anyone who wanted to send a birthday card to join the celebration. The response was overwhelming, with cards pouring in from friends, family, and even strangers.
“I’m just so grateful for everyone who took the time to send my sister something,” Rose said. “It means so much to all of us. Shelby has loved all of it.” The family received over 20 cards, many of which were handmade and creatively designed. The community’s generosity went beyond cards, with several individuals also delivering gifts directly to the Lewis family’s doorstep.
Community Support Shines Bright
Among the thoughtful surprises was a gingerbread house, a painted rock, and a package filled with coloring books and a light-up backpack. One particularly standout card even lit up and played music. “A lot of these people I’ve never seen or talked to before; my sister knew some, but they just showed up for her,” Rose remarked. “It’s amazing.”
On November 19, 2023, Shelby’s actual birthday, the family adorned their walls with the numerous cards, making the day extra special. Although Shelby cannot speak, her mother, Lisa Handsell, noted that she is aware of her surroundings and was excited to open her gifts. Visitors included Shelby’s first bus driver, who created a fun card featuring Shelby’s face photoshopped onto a school bus, and her care team, who joined her to celebrate.
“I looked out there one time, and somebody had put something on the steps and was booking down the driveway before I got outside,” said Sumner Lewis, Shelby’s father. This sense of community support provided the Lewis family with a powerful reminder of the kindness that exists in the world.
An Outpouring of Kindness
Even after Shelby’s birthday, cards and gifts continued to arrive, including a message indicating a package would be delivered later that week. “There are still nice people, no matter what’s going on at the moment,” Sumner said. “There’s so much negative, but there’s still a lot of positive.”
This celebration served not only as a birthday event but also as a testament to the goodwill present in Great Barrington. The Lewis family expressed their gratitude for the support, which made a significant impact on Shelby. “It’s so easy to tune into the negative,” Sumner reflected. “But then you see that there are still people who are in tune with being happy for a minute.” Their experience highlighted a community coming together, proving that even small acts of kindness can create lasting joy.