This was not a typical sweet 16 birthday party.
A collection of about 50 souped-up SUVs, trucks and cars that rolled into a vacant field adjacent to a trailer park development in the Malaga section of Franklin Township on Sunday afternoon made sure of that.
Joann Picchi, 16, had given hints of what would become a passion for her years earlier. When other little girls wanted dolls and similar toys, Joann always begged for miniature monster trucks, her sister said Monday.
“She never really had a day to remember,” Rebecca Picchi, 26, said. “We wanted to make her sweet 16 something to remember for a long time.”
Burnouts mark the occasion as Joann Picchi celebrates her 16th birthday surrounded by cool cars and trucks, Sunday, June 27, 2021.Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
Joann has Williams syndrome, a disorder that slows development physically and mentally. Her sister said she is developmentally similar to a six-year-old but is very smart and inquisitive. She said her reaction to seeing the cars at the edge of her development on Route 47 was priceless and it was exactly why they launched a social media campaign to get volunteers to participate.
“This is for me?” Joann said with a beaming smile, Rebecca said. “Oh my God…this is the best day ever!”
The social media call had gone out two weeks earlier. Rebecca said she posted it on her Facebook page and on a group page for other Jeep owners like her. The remainder of her family, including three sisters and a brother, also posted it. The word spread and soon dozens of people responded.
“It was crazy,” Rebecca said. “I didn’t think it was going to be anything. She had a ball… did not stop talking about it all day and night.”
Joann Picchi gets a ride in the 360 powered, 1990 Dodge Ram pickup truck of family friend, Destiny Hasher, as part of her 16th birthday celebration loaded with cool cars and trucks, Sunday, June 27, 2021.Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
It wasn’t all roses. Joann doesn’t like loud noises and several of the drivers decided to showoff with burnouts of screeching, smoky tires. Joann grabbed her sisters and hid her face until the commotion stopped, Rebecca said.
But it was no doubt the tight-knit family came through for their baby sister.
“A little girl had a great day,” Rebecca said. “That’s all I care about. I’m just really glad she had the greatest day.”
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Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com.
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