Tyashia Wills, a Kansas City mom, shared an emotional TikTok on Jan. 15 describing what she says happened at her daughter Camille’s first birthday party.
In the video, Wills explained that she invited nearly 30 people and spent “hours” setting everything up on her own at a rented venue. But when the time came, she said almost no one arrived — and the few who did showed up hours late.
“It started getting later and later and later … and my heart broke. It broke,” she said, describing the moment she realized “no one was coming.”
Her posts quickly gained massive attention, drawing millions of interactions. And after seeing her story, members of the Kansas City community decided to step in and help — organizing a second celebration for Camille, complete with balloon arches and face painting.
Speaking to local news outlet KCTV 5, Preston Hopkins, one of the people who helped put the new party together, said he wanted to spark something positive in the community.
“If I can be that one person to start the momentum for good things in Kansas City and for good things to come out of Kansas City, I’m the anchor, and I’m starting it,” he said. “So let’s get the ball rolling on positivity and love and community.”
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Wills later posted a follow-up TikTok on Jan. 18 showing moments from the community-organized party.
“I love yall for loving my baby,” she wrote in the caption, adding, “THANK YOU wherever you are in the world.”
She also shared a broader message about holding on to what people can do for each other.
“I know everything is scary and ugly right now but with us not being able to control that we can hug our babies tight because a lot of parents can’t do that we can call and check on our friends and family more because it doesn’t take much and we can still show up with free will,” she wrote.
“🩷🫶🏾 #worldwide family,” she added.
