Bree Burkitt

The Spectrum

Six-year-old Evan Rose was beaming as she unwrapped present after present during her birthday party at Hermie’s Drive-In on Saturday.

It was a big change from the little girl who, just five days earlier, had sadly looked out the window as she waited for her school friends to arrive for her birthday party.

Evan waited and waited, but no one showed up for her May 22 party.

“It was really sad,” Wendy Rose, Evan’s mom, said. “She was excited and all dressed up (in her princess costume), but no one came.”

The mother and daughter still had a few errands to run despite the disappointment. While checking-out at Lin’s, a female Lin’s employee told the birthday girl, “Hello Elena of Avalor” in reference to her costume.

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The employee, who was later identified as Haley Davis, didn’t know it was her birthday or that none of her friends had made it to her party.

“My daughter’s face lit up and she was just so happy after that,” Wendy Rose said.

But she didn’t have a chance to see the employee's face or personally thank her for the meaningful comment.

So, Wendy Rose took to the online Cedar City Food Review Facebook page to express her gratitude. Her posting thanked the worker for her kindness and how much it meant to Evan considering her sad experience earlier in the day.

Quickly, hundreds of people were commenting to wish "happy birthday" to Evan while also expressing their sympathy.

Then, someone suggested the 6,000-member-strong group throw the little girl a “do-over” birthday party.

Vicki Marlin, administrator of the page, quickly jumped on the project. Within just a few hours, plans were in the works to throw Evan a second birthday party at Hermie’s.

“It was so heartbreaking,” Marlin said. “Everyone knows what it’s like from being a child and experiencing disappointment or being a parent and seeing their child hurt. Everybody can relate to it.”

Group members arranged to attend the alternative party wearing costumes and bearing gifts. Even those who were unable to attend dropped off presents at Marlin’s house in the days prior to the event.

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Countless local businesses reached out with gifts, treats and other offerings to help make the day special. Hermie’s donated free ice cream for attendees, while Fun Time Inflatables set-up inflatable bounce houses during the party in the Main Street Park next to the restaurant. During the party, Brody's Mexican Restaurant even rolled in a brand-new bike for the birthday girl.

“Everybody just wanted to be a part of it,” Marlin said.

Wendy Rose was blown away by the outpouring of support and compassion from the local community.

“All these people wanted to help Evan have a happy birthday because she didn’t get one,” she said. “I have been brought to tears so many times because it’s incredible. I can’t believe it happened. When I posted that, I just wanted to say thank you, but it sparked into something so much bigger.”

Both dressed as Disney princesses, Evan Rose and Davis even had the chance to officially meet during the party. As more and more people packed into the small restaurant to help celebrate, Davis said she amazed to see how her small comment had transformed into something so tremendous.

“Every girl deserves a great birthday party,” she said. “It’s crazy that one simple comment can snowball into something so huge. I’m just so thankful we were able to do this for Evan.”

Follow reporter Bree Burkitt on Twitter, @BreeBurkitt. Call her at 435-218-2241.