Residents of Getz Personal Care Home in Kunkletown sat outside Sunday afternoon watching a parade held in their honor.

Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company apparatus, trucking companies and carloads of family and friends drove by flashing their lights, honking horns and waving signs at the residents.

“I knew the weather would be nice to get everyone outside and have the community drive by to show their support,” said Erin Hnat, administrator at the home and parade organizer.

Some of the vehicles had banners and balloons. Inspirational messages were written on the windows.

Random cars that happened to be driving by also joined in the celebration and began honking and waving, Hnat said.

“This was really nice. It was good to see our families. We are used to them coming regularly, but they were not able to for the past six to eight weeks,” said Tim Sullivan, a resident for the past 26 months.

Like other personal care homes and nursing homes around the country, Getz has not allowed visitors inside since mid-March.

Sullivan likes to sit outside most days and watch visitors come and go. They can deliver residents’ personal items to the door, where a staff member retrieves it.

“I recognized some of the people who drove by today from when they bring items to drop off,” he said. “I really liked seeing the firetrucks.”

Hnat was not sure how long the visitation restrictions will remain once Monroe County goes into the green phase on June 19. She will wait for guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies.

“We want to keep their spirits up the best that we can,” she said.

For the past three months, Hnat and the staff have been keeping the 49 residents entertained through activities, bingo and exercise class inside. Residents practice social distancing for these.

Groups such as the Pocono Women’s Club have come to sing for them at lunch time. The singers remain outside, and the residents listen through the windows.

“They love when having entertainers sing for us at lunchtime,” Hnat said.