UPDATE: A heartfelt birthday wish from an autistic boy, James Cortelyou, has sparked overwhelming community support in Hermitage, Tennessee. His desire for a car wash-themed birthday party, featuring a unique car wash cake made by his mother, Kate Cortelyou, became a reality thanks to the local car wash, Washtopia, and its managing partner, Mike Logan.
In a powerful TikTok video that has gone viral, Cortelyou shared the journey of fulfilling her son’s dream as he turned 5 years old. The video captures the emotional moments leading up to the party and showcases the extraordinary lengths the community went to make it happen. “I called about a dozen car washes and got turned down every time—until I found Washtopia,” Cortelyou explained. “They didn’t just say yes—they went all in.”
Logan and the Washtopia team embraced James’s unusual request with open arms, transforming their facility into a birthday wonderland. They provided a break room with a view of the car wash, created a giant welcome sign for James, and even gifted him a large car wash wipe to take home. Logan shared, “When we first received Kate’s email, our immediate reaction was, ‘Absolutely, this sounds like a fantastic idea.'”
The community spirit did not stop there. Washtopia organized additional surprises, including free car washes for parents, allowing kids to watch from above, and even provided a cake to complement the one made by Cortelyou. “The only question we had was, ‘How can we make this the best day ever for him?'” Logan stated.
Cortelyou recalled how James’s fascination with car washes began as a phase. “We would go to them daily and sit and watch from the outside,” she noted. When he expressed his birthday wishes, she was determined to make it happen despite facing multiple rejections from other venues.
James’s joy was palpable during the celebration, and the impact of the event has resonated with him even years later. Now at 11 years old, he continues to talk about that unforgettable day. “My favorite moment from that day was hearing James say, ‘This is the best day of my life,'” Logan revealed. “There’s no greater reward than knowing we helped create a memory like that.”
The connection forged between the Cortelyou family and Washtopia has continued beyond the party. Logan recently sent T-shirts and goodies to James and his siblings, demonstrating lasting support for the family. Additionally, Logan mentioned that they now incorporate James’s birthday party experience into employee training, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and support for children.
This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact communities can have when they come together to fulfill the dreams of children. The joy shared during James’s car wash birthday party will undoubtedly continue to inspire others to make a difference in their neighborhoods.
