Fall is still a few days away, but one neighborhood in Colerain Township, Ohio has started celebrating Christmas early as a bittersweet act of charity.
The houses of Adair Court are currently covered with twinkling lights, bells, and blow-up figures of Santa and his reindeer. It’s all for a 2-year-old boy named Brody who’s suffering from terminal brain cancer that’s so aggressive he’s not expected to see December.
After learning about Brody’s conditions, neighbors and complete strangers have been coming out in force to spread Christmas cheer a few months early.
“I showed him last night, and he’s just like, ‘Wow!’ ‘Ohh!’ Called Santa Ho, Ho, Ho,” Brody’s mother, Shilo Allen, told Local 12 WKRC News.
“Giving Brody a wish, and that is to have Christmas. He’s not going to make it to Christmas, so we want to do it now,” said Brody’s father, Todd Allen.
The Allen’s received the new no parent wants to hear after bringing Brody to the doctor in May, 2018 for what they assumed was an inner ear infection.
“Children’s Hospital informed us that he did not have an inner ear infection. Instead, he had four tumors,” Todd explained. A fifth tumor has grown in the past month.
Shilo turned to Facebook for help when she realized Brody may never have another Christmas. The Allen family was completely overwhelmed by the support that followed.
“Christmas came early, and it’s awesome to see everybody stepping up in the community. I came last night, and this was the only house lit up. I came today, and I was like, ‘Wow. This is awesome,'” said Ryan Miller of Cincy Xmas Lights.
Complete strangers began sending the Allens Christmas decorations and gifts. “It’s just amazing. I mean, people are just amazing. She doesn’t know us, and I can’t explain it; I’m grateful,” Shilo said after finding another package from a kind-hearted stranger.
It wasn’t long before the neighborhood’s act of kindness spread to local radio station WARM 98. Morning show hosts Jim Day and Amanda Orlando announced that the station would play one Christmas song every hour for Brody.
They have asked listeners to meet them at a local Kroger tomorrow. Once the group is gathered, they’ll form a caravan and drive to the Allens’ home to sing Christmas carols from the street.
Christmas cards have been pouring in and the township has planned an early Christmas parade on Sunday, September 23.
Like and share this story if you’re proud of the goodness in this world. Please keep Brody in your thoughts and prayers.