WHEN an autistic boy’s classmates all failed to turn up to his sixth birthday party, his local community and emergency services rallied to give him an unforgettable celebration.

Ashlee Buratti, of St Cloud, Florida, invited her son Glenn’s class of 16 children to his party on February 8, but no one came. Although she and her husband John Buratti had not received any RSVPs, they were hopeful some would turn up regardless to celebrate with Glenn, who has epilepsy and a mild form of autism. “From the minute he woke up that day he wanted to know how many minutes until his friends came,” she told the Osceola News-Gazette.

media_camera Birthday boy ... Glenn Buratti with a toy car his father bought for him. Picture: Facebook/John Buratti media_camera Unexpected guest ... Glenn Buratti is shown the hose on a firetruck. Picture: Facebook/ John Buratti

“He’s really sensitive,” she added, saying he became upset when she eventually had to tell him no one was coming.

“It’s probably one of the biggest hurts you can have, to see how let down your child is when nobody shows up for them,” she told Fox 35-Orlando.

media_camera Frustrated ... Ashlee Buratti, 25, took to Facebook and had a rant when Glenn’s party guests didn’t show. Picture: Facebook/Ashlee Buratti media_camera Gifts ... Glenn Buratti received toys from local emergency service workers. Picture: Facebook/John Buratti

Frustrated, 25-year-old Ms Buratti took to the Osceola Rants Raves and Reviews List on Facebook, which has around 10,000 members. “I just wanted to vent to other parents who maybe had been through the same thing,” she said. “I know this might be something silly to rant about, but my heart is breaking for my son. We invited his whole class (16 kids) over for his 6th birthday party today. Not one kid came,” she posted.

media_camera Party with a twist ... three days after Ashlee Buratti’s online ‘rant’, her local emergency service workers paid a special visit to Glenn. Picture: Facebook/ John Buratti

Members of the group responded, some asking if they could bring their kids around that day. About 15 kids and 25 adults — complete strangers — showed up to the house for cake and games. “One lady brought him a brand new bike,” Ms Buratti said.

media_camera Belated surprise ... the local Sheriff’s office gave Glenn tours of their vehicles. Picture: Facebook/John Buratti

“I’m very surprised,” said Mr Buratti. “Just one Facebook post and it took off with people helping us. It was amazing.”

Three days later, members of the local Sheriff’s office and fire service visited Glenn at home to wish him a belated birthday, bring gifts and giving him a tour of their vehicles. A rescue helicopter even flew overhead, low enough so Glenn could see the pilot waving. “They said his story really touched their hearts and they wanted to do something,” Ms Buratti said.

media_camera Lit up ... Glenn was showered with generosity by members of his local community after his schoolmates let him down. Picture: Facebook/John Buratti

“His face lit up, his eyes got real big and he just smiled the whole time,” she said. “They treated us like family.”

“And to think, all this happened because nobody showed up to his birthday,” Ms Buratti wrote online. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

media_camera Dwarfed ... Glenn Buratti, 6, is shown one of the Sheriff’s vehicles during a surprise visit. Picture: Facebook/John Buratti

Originally published as How this little boy’s party was saved