Hundreds turn up to 10-year-old's birthday party after mother's Facebook plea

A young girl's mother was so upset when every single person invited to attend her daughter's birthday party rejected the offer that she took to Facebook in a bid to get "at least 10 people" to turn up.

Mackenzie Moretter, who turned 10 last Tuesday, suffers from a developmental disorder called Sotos syndrome and finds it difficult making friends at school.

"Kids are friendly to her, but she doesn't have friends. No one calls and talks to her. I'll show up at her school and she will be playing alone," her father, Matthew Moretter, told local news station KARE.

As a result, her mother, Jenny, took to Facebook to ask other mothers in her social circle to bring along their daughters of a similar age, even if only to pop by and say a quick "happy birthday".

Little did she expect 500 people, including a star player from the local Minnesota Vikings NFL team, to turn up and celebrate. The mayor of her hometown - Shakopee, Minnesota - even declared Saturday "Mackenzie Moretter Day".

The Moretters were shocked by the overwhelmingly positive response. Birthday girl Mackenzie told the crowd: "I have a hard time making friends in school, but thanks to all of you, my voice was heard. I love you all."

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