300 Strangers Attend Girl’s Birthday Party After Classmates Decline

Mackenzie Moretter of Shakopee, Minnesota got the surprise of a lifetime when hundreds of kind strangers showed up to her 10th birthday party Saturday.

Things were looking grim when the girl's classmates all declined their invitations, but Mackenzie's mom, Jenny, refused to let that stop her from celebrating her remarkable daughter's birthday. She posted on Facebook and only expected to get about 10 of her friends to come and bring girls Mackenzie's age. The post blew up, and over 300 people showed up, including the town mayor, Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and Minnesota Vikings player Charles Johnson and his family.

When Mackenzie was a year old, doctors discovered a tumor on her spine and diagnosed her with Soto's Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which causes her to grow faster than other kids her age. Her father told KARE-TV that her condition has made it difficult for her to make friends at school.

But Mackenzie made hundreds of new friends Saturday, and her massive surprise birthday party will now go down in the town's history. Mayor Brad Tabke proclaimed April 18 "Mackenzie Moretter Day". Sam's Club and local barbecue restaurant Mr. Pigs fed everybody, and members of the city's fire department were on hand to let the kids tour their fire trucks.

Of course, Mackenzie was the most special person in attendance, and had some heartfelt words to share with the crowd.

"I have a hard time making friends in school," she said, "but thanks to all of you, my voice was heard. I love you all."

Mackenzie's story has garnered national attention, so her voice had definitely been heard. Her classmates missed out on the biggest party of the year.