Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – What began as a quiet plea on Facebook turned into a heartwarming display of community spirit Saturday, after a Jonesboro woman’s call for help ensured her niece did not celebrate her sixth birthday alone.
On Thursday, Megan Ferguson took to social media with a simple message: her niece had a birthday party scheduled at Chuck E. Cheese in Jonesboro, but no children had been able to attend. The package her family purchased included spots for six kids, pizza, and games — but as the day approached, the girl’s parents had been unable to find anyone who could come.
“My brother texted me and said they can’t get any kids to come, and I would love for her to have a birthday party to remember,” Ferguson wrote in her post, adding a heartfelt request: “PLSSS SOMEONE.”
The circumstances leading up to that moment had already been difficult. Megan’s niece, who lives with her parents in Mississippi, had been excited for months about her first-ever birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese — a celebration her parents had been saving for through a financially and emotionally challenging year.
Scott is a type-one diabetic whose health has been unstable, and Farrah stays home to care for her own mother, who is in poor health. Extra money for a large celebration was hard to come by, but the couple was determined to give their daughter the one experience she had been hoping for.
As the family made their way to Jonesboro on Saturday, stress mounted again when Farrah’s car developed a flat tire in West Memphis. Stranded and running out of time, it seemed her daughter might miss her own birthday party entirely — until a stranger pulled over.
According to Megan, that Good Samaritan not only helped with the tire but then drove the family all the way to Jonesboro so they wouldn’t miss her big day. He then turned around and went back to West Memphis to finish fixing the tire himself.
While the family was en route, Megan’s Facebook post was circulating — and it quickly reached someone who knew exactly what was at stake.
Lieutenant Michael McCanless of the Jonesboro Police Department messaged her directly, asking if it would be okay for him to gather several officers and surprise the Fergusons at the party. Megan didn’t hesitate.
When Lt. McCanless and officers from both JPD Charlie and Delta Squads arrived at Chuck E. Cheese, they came bearing smiles, a wrapped present, and the kind of enthusiasm that instantly turned a nearly empty children’s party into something unforgettable.
Before the celebration began, the lieutenant shared with Megan why the situation resonated with him so personally: he once hosted a birthday party where only two children showed up — a memory he told her “Stays with a child” for a long time. He wanted Megan’s niece’s experience to be different.
And it was.
Officers talked with the birthday girl, played games, posed for photos — even getting their picture taken with Chuck E. Cheese himself.
Lt. McCanless’s wife also attended and brought their two children, while another officer, Lindsey, brought her daughter Lily to join the festivities.
What could have been a painful childhood memory transformed into one of joy, thanks to the kindness of complete strangers: a passerby on the highway, a group of police officers, and a community that stepped up at the right moment.
After the party, Megan posted her gratitude to the Jonesboro Police Department: “Thank you x10000 to JPD for always showing up in good and bad.” The department later shared photos from the event with the caption: “We see you, Charlie and Delta Squads!”
In a year marked by hardship for the Ferguson family, Saturday became a shining reminder of the good that can ripple through a community when people respond with generosity.
“This entire day showed exactly what community really looks like,” Megan said.
