YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Nelda Crump received an unexpected gift as she walked out her front door on Sunday.
101 people gathered on her lawn to wish her a happy birthday, each representing a year in Crump’s long life.
“I never expected anything like this… it makes me feel wonderful to see all these people out here. I didn’t realize there were that many around,” said Crump.
Also at the surprise were members of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, where Crump celebrated her 100th birthday last year.
“We were all surprised because we only thought one was coming,” said Kelly Billet, Crump’s granddaughter.
This year’s surprise was organized after Wanda Reisinger’s husband posted a message on Facebook, inviting people to wish Crump a happy birthday.
Reisinger says the community response was almost immediate.
“I can’t thank them enough [for] their generosity of coming out and taking a couple minutes out of their day, on a nice day like this, to come out to sing happy birthday to her. It meant a lot to the family,” Reisinger said.
Reisinger is the third of four children within the family. Over the years, Crump has watched 17 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren grow up
Recently, she was introduced to her first great-great-grandchild.
“It’s wonderful, she just saw her great-great-grandson be born. She babysits him Mondays and Tuesdays, and she looks forward to it too,” Billet said.
What’s Crump’s secret to living a long and happy life? She says it’s family, friends, and always eating your vegetables.