The cast of 'Parks and Recreation' are reuniting for a special virtual episode

Add extra whipped cream to your waffles, warm up your calzone, put out your best frisbee plates and turn up your favourite Mouse Rat single, it’s time to treat yourself! NBC has announced that the cast of Parks and Recreation will reunite for one night with a brand-new episode in what is *literally* the best news for fans of the beloved series that went off the air in 2015.Parks and Rec star Amy Poehler made the special announcement on Twitter and revealed that the virtual episode will air on Thursday, April 30 and act as a fundraiser to help with COVID-19 relief.

Leslie Knope wants to let you in on a secret... On April 30, #ParksAndRec is returning to NBC for “A Parks and Recreation Special”. Our workplace proximity associates, along with our neighbors at @StateFarm, are raising money for @FeedingAmerica. Join us! https://t.co/YuyWBTYmrH pic.twitter.com/ZId6Lq3rkJ

— Parks and Recreation (@parksandrecnbc) April 23, 2020

Knowing that there are few things more comforting at this time of great uncertainty than Leslie Knope’s trademark positivity, the creators of Parks and Rec and NBC quickly put together the reunion special that will include cast members Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O’Heir, and Retta, as well as a handful of returning guest stars, including Ben Schwartz and his epic Jean-Ralphio 'do. We know that Lil' Sebastian is no longer with us, but that’s not going to stop us from hoping he’ll make an appearance, in spirit at least, next week.[video_embed id='5998835859001']RELATED: How Chris Pratt felt asking for Arnie's blessing to marry Katherine[/video_embed]Show creator Michael Schur told Variety that the new episode will be timely and follow Leslie Knope as she tries to stay in touch with her friends while physically distancing during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (We expect a very big binder to organize all of Leslie’s Zoom parties.) The reunion special will act as a fundraiser to help raise money for Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund.“Like a lot of other people, we were looking for ways to help and felt that bringing these characters back for a night could raise some money,” Schur was quoted as saying. “I sent a hopeful email to the cast and they all got back to me within 45 minutes. Our old ‘Parks and Rec’ team has put together one more 30-minute slice of (quarantined) Pawnee life and we hope everyone enjoys it. And donates!”

New Parks episode in one week! Can’t wait for everyone to see it... https://t.co/4yK66hZVzr

— Adam Scott (@mradamscott) April 23, 2020

Parks and Rec aired for seven seasons from 2009 until 2015 and earned 14 Emmy noms. Poehler took home the beloved show’s only Golden Globe win in 2014, accepting the award while also hosting the show itself with Tina Fey. Parks and Rec helped make stars out of its cast, like relatively unknown actors Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt who've all gone on to bigger projects. In 2019, the cast appeared at PaleyFest and unanimously stated that they were all willing to return to the small town of Pawnee, Indiana for a reunion if Schur was involved…and no Eagleton residents were invited.[video_embed id='1944757']BEFORE YOU GO: Celebrate Prince Louis’ second bday with adorable pics[/video_embed]