A 7-year-old Wyoming girl who was left with no guests at her birthday party after every invited friend canceled got an unexpected surprise when strangers rushed in to celebrate instead.
Chloe Blanden was sitting with her family at a pizzeria in Cody, Wyo., surrounded by decorations and a birthday cake — but no party guests — last weekend when her mom, Melanie O’Donnell, made a desperate plea for help in a local Facebook group.
“She hasn’t made a lot of friends yet, and I so badly wanted her to have a great day,” O’Donnell told Cowboy State Daily.
The family had originally planned the party at a park but moved it indoors because of the extreme heat. Even after the change in plans, every invited guest backed out.
“Our decorations were out, I’d bought this big cake, and we were all sitting in the downstairs arcade center by ourselves,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell, whose family moved to Cody earlier this year, asked local parents if anyone with children could stop by the party.
More than 150 people responded to the Facebook post within minutes and about 15 families showed up at the pizzeria with gifts for Chloe.
Chloe has developmental challenges that have made it difficult for her to make friends, the outlet reported.
“The people who showed up were complete strangers, but they all acted as if they had always known each other,” O’Donnell said.
“The children were so sweet and well behaved. Chloe had an amazing time.”
She also said a man in Montana sent $25 through Venmo so Chloe could receive another birthday gift.
The family relocated to Cody after the deaths of O’Donnell’s mother and grandmother.
Following the party, O’Donnell shared a Facebook post reflecting on her daughter’s birthday and those of her late relatives.
“So many birthdays this week. Mom’s 2nd birthday in heaven. You would have hit retirement age this year. Chloe’s 7th birthday. You had such a special birthday this year. Grandma Decker’s 1st birthday in heaven,” she wrote.
“All these amazing women who are a part of me and the young woman my daughter is becoming. All my strength has come from you all.”
Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis later shared the story on X, writing, “So glad to see Cody rally around Chloe and help make her 7th birthday memorable. Happy birthday, Chloe!!”
