PEABODY — The city of Peabody banded together Saturday to show its unwavering support for Olivia Bormann with a one-of-a-kind surprise birthday parade and party held in the 11-year-old’s honor.
Nearly 150 people, most dressed in hot pink shirts bearing the words “Team Olivia,” gathered at Peabody’s West Memorial Elementary School for an upbeat fundraising event Saturday morning, then made their way, rolling-rally style, to Bormann’s home where the celebrations continued.
“It feels great to have somewhat of a normal day,” Olivia’s father, Cheyne Bormann, said. “The last few months have been a cycle of work, hospital, home, work, hospital, home, so it’s amazing to see all the support for Olivia.”
Since Feb. 23, when doctors discovered that a hematoma — a normally benign bruise — was pressing against her spine and paralyzing her, Bormann has worked hard at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston to regain the ability to walk. She was discharged Friday — two months to the day she was rushed to Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery.
The festivities included a professional balloon artist; a raffle for four premium tickets to Fenway Park for any game of the 2021 season, donated by the Red Sox Foundation; and plenty of cotton candy, popcorn, and snacks — nearly all of which were donated by local businesses. The party included a performance by Olivia’s Crystal Joyce Academy dance team. DJ Dane Leveton of LEVITATE, perched on top of a Gloucester FD high-water truck, provided music.
“We’re here for Olivia, of course,” Deb Pursell said, as she and her daughter Bella Gosselin, 9, painted their car with a message to Olivia in large white letters. “We’re here to celebrate her birthday and support her.”
Camdyn Driscoll, 10, alongside friends Micayla Creamer, 11, and Guiliana Constantino, 10, recalled the day Olivia was admitted to the hospital.
“I’ve known Olivia practically my whole life,” Driscoll said. “It was such a surprise. I woke up like normal and they told me (she’d been admitted) and I was so sad, but I’m happy she’s out and feeling better.”
Captain Scott Richards provided a police escort, leading a caravan of more than 80 vehicles — many of which were brightly decorated and shooting confetti cannons. The cavalcade also included a Salem Trolley car full of “VIPs” (Oivia’s friends) along with multiple fire and police vehicles, a colorful golf cart and an ambulance. The parade’s final stop was at the Bormann’s Winona Street home where Olvia’s parents, Michele and Cheyne, younger sister, Stella, 7, and dozens of friends and family members — along with a flock of pink flamingos from MarketStreet — enthusiastically greeted supporters.
“We’ve had so many inquiries about the flamingos so when Michele (Olivia’s mother) reached out to us, of course we wanted to be involved,” WS Development Seaport Senior Manager of Activations and Partnerships, Emily Soukas, said. “We knew that the flamingos had to migrate here from Lynnfield for Olivia and it was an honor to be a part of such a wonderful day.”
Event organizer and family friend Jamie Santos said fundraising efforts have already reached $30,000, adding he hoped Saturday’s event would raise another $5,000 to $10,000.
“The city and businesses have been incredible, the donations have poured in like crazy,” he said. “I can’t thank everyone enough — the 100 families who volunteered, the police and fire Departments — the way everyone came out today to help this family is amazing.”
All proceeds will go to the Bormann family to help them pay off expenses that have accumulated in the wake of Olivia’s hospitalization.
“Her family has to modify their house. They have to build ramps, they have to change bathrooms and doorways to be handicap accessible,” Santos said. “This is stuff that’s not covered by insurance. This family is maxed out.”
To make a donation to the family, go to Facebook.com/SupportingOlivia, or use Venmo at OLIVIA-BORMANNFUND. Also, checks can be written to Jamie Santos/Supporting Olivia.
“The ultimate goal is to get Olivia walking again,” Santos said. “We’re hoping and praying that one day she’ll be healed enough where she’ll regain that ability. She’s a trooper.”
Olivia spent much of the day beaming, taking in all of the action wide-eyed as she reconnected with friends she had not seen since February. She said she was so glad to be home.
When asked if she was surprised at the outpouring of love and support, she repeated the same word over and over with a larger-than life smile — “Yes, yes, yes!”
Sister Stella said her favorite part of the day was riding the trolley, saying, “that was so much fun.”
“We can’t thank everyone enough for all this,” Michele Bormann said. “Olivia is doing great.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
