ABOVE: See how a Minnesota community came together for a little girl after none of her classmates RSVP’d to her birthday party
TORONTO – For many children, a birthday party is something to look forward to all year long.
But with only days to go before her daughter’s tenth birthday, a Minnesota mom faced an awful dilemma: none of her daughter’s classmates had RSVP’d for the party.
Jenny Moretter says she got no replies at all from any of her daughter Mackenzie’s classmates to attend her tenth birthday party, which was scheduled for Saturday, April 18.
“I want so much for Mackenzie to belong and for her to have friends and people to accept her for who she is,” Jenny Moretter told CBS Minnesota.
When she was born, Mackenzie was diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome, otherwise known as cerebral gigantism, a genetic disorder which can cause excessive physical growth during the first two to three years of a child’s life.
Sotos Syndrome can also cause developmental delays in speech and learning, which Mackenzie’s parents say make it difficult for her to make friends.
With just one day to go before her daughter’s birthday party and with two family members scheduled to appear, Jenny Moretter made an emotional appeal on her facebook page for anyone to attend her daughter’s birthday.
“I’m reaching out to moms who have daughters between the age of 9-11 that would love to come to a birthday party tomorrow from 11-1:30. You don’t have to bring gifts or stay long, just stop by and wish her a happy birthday… She would be so surprised to have other girls just show up. If you are interested please send me a pm and I’ll give you my address. Thank you all for reading a mother’s wish!”
Jenny Moretter had hoped her message would draw maybe a few families to her daughter’s big day.
“I honestly thought it would be a matter of a few other moms out there who I touched their heartstrings,” Jenny told CBS.
But she could never have anticipated the eventual response her message would get: hundreds of strangers from the Shakopee, Minnesota community turned out to wish Mackenzie a happy birthday.
City officials agreed to host the party in a local park, with Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke proclaiming Saturday to be “Mackenzie Moretter Day.”
The local Sam’s Club and Mr. Pigs Stuffed BBQ and Catering agreed to provide food and drinks for the over 300 people who ended up attending little Mackenzie’s party.
The Shakopee Fire Department stopped by the party and let children take a tour of their fire truck. Elsa from the movie Frozen made an appearance at the party, and Minnestoa Vikings wide reciever Charles Johnson even stopped by with his family.
A GoFundMe page was even set up so strangers could help pay for the party or send Mackenzie gifts from afar.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotions, my heart has been touched by so many stories similar to mine or just people wishing her a happy birthday,” Jenny Moretter wrote in another Facebook post thanking everyone for attending.
But it was Mackenzie, who wore a blouse bearing the words “courage” and “kind” to her big party, who offered the most heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make her birthday so special.
“I have a hard time making friends in school, but thanks to all of you… my voice was heard,” Mackenzie told the crowd which gathered at her party. “I love you all.”
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