A Utah boy was treated to a surprise by community members who came together after none of his friends or family members attended his birthday party.
Rosario Lopez posted a photo of her nine-year-old son Jaydenn to a local Facebook group on New Year’s Day, asking residents to send her son well wishes on his birthday.
The mom said she was hoping the messages would let her son know he is loved and cared for after the disappointing party.
The group did a lot more than just wish the boy a happy birthday, however.
Jaydenn’s mom, Rosario Lopez, shared this photo of Jaydenn at his birthday party alone on Sunday
The post, made in a Kearns Township, Utah group, quickly racked up hundreds of likes and comments from residents who wanted to help out.
Lopez told KUTV it was that post that inspired community members to reach out, asking for her address so they could send him gifts for his big day.
The mom said she had sent out invites early to the party early and was hoping for a few people, even if the party was on New Year’s Eve, Jaydenn’s birthday.
In reality, no family members or friends made it to the party.
A picture of the nine-year-old showed the young boy sitting alone at a table in front of decorations with a cake.
‘He teared up a little saying I guess I’m going to have to get used to this,’ Jaydenn’s mother, Rosario Lopez said.
This is the post Rosario Lopez made in one Utah Facebook group
Jaydenn and his mom spoke with KUTV in Nevada and told them about the random act of kindness from strangers
The post received hundreds of comments and likes from community members
Lopez said it hurt her to see him so upset.
‘Obviously as a mom it breaks your heart. You try to do what you can for them; run that extra mile. So I went on Facebook and posted about what happened,’ the mom told KUTV.
In total, the post received more than 580 likes from group members.
Some reached out and asked for their address and began sending the family food through DoorDash and gifts through Venmo.
After the community came together, Jaydenn’s mom took this photo of her son with the gifts from their neighbors
These are just some of the gifts given to Jayden by community members
Lopez said he ended up receiving food, clothes, toys, and other treats, all thanks to the kindness of strangers.
‘To be honest, I cried. I wasn’t expecting that at all. There are good people out there,’ Jaydenn’s mother said.
The mom also pointed out to KUTV that the strangers came through, even as their city of West Valley saw bad weather.
‘I just can’t say how grateful I am; truly we are so grateful from the bottom of our hearts.’
Lopez thanked group members in a post on January 2
The comments of the post were flooded with well-wishers who wanted to let the boy know he was loved.
‘We are celebrating my kids birthday and you guys are welcome to join our party and we can make it 3 birthday party,’ wrote one neighbor.
‘I get the pain point my birthday is 12/26, and most years nobody shows up if I try to do something for my birthday with Christmas. Sending all the wonderfully birthday wishes!! Love the blue, and he looks very dapper,’ said another person.
‘Happy Birthday lil man! Our son turned 10 today! You both have such a cool bday,’ wrote another Utah resident.
Nine-year-old Jaydenn had the community step up in a big way for his birthday
Lopez doubled down on her thanks in a Facebook post, once again thanking the group.
‘Jaydenn & I are beyond Grateful! Thank you All who took the time to Send him Birthday Wishes, Gifts and Singing to Him and Much More it sure meant a lot seen a smile on his face. Happy New Years to You All,’ the mom wrote.
