Brody Allen, a 2-year-old from Colerain Township, outside Cincinnati, continues to bring a town together after his passing early Friday, October 19, 2018. The whole town celebrated a full-fledged Christmas in September for the boy who loved Christmas and Santa, or as he called him, Ho Ho. Now, they are coming together to grieve with the parents and to create a lasting annual memorial to the little boy and his love for everything Christmas.
Doctors had given Brody only a short time to live after a diagnosis in May of brain cancer. The family asked for help on Facebook at “Team Brody” to bring their beloved son an early Christmas. Little did they suspect that it would grow into an enormous celebration across their area, as the community rallied together and spared no detail.
Brody was Grand Marshal in a super-hero-themed Christmas parade. Thousands of people participated, and there were fundraisers for him every weekend. People all over the world sent him hundreds of Christmas cards. An Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed in Alaska traveled to get jolly ol’ Saint Nick to wish Brody a Merry Christmas. Best of all, he got to meet Ho Ho in person, and was given the official title of “Elf, Good and True.”
Air Force Staff Sergeant stationed in Alaska goes to "North Pole" to get Santa for Brody Allen
IT'S A CHRISTMAS EMERGENCY! WATCH: An Air Force Staff Sergeant, who is from the Tri-State but is stationed in Alaska, heard about Brody Allen and decided that he needed to go get jolly ol' Saint Nick himself to wish Brody a Merry Christmas!READ MORE: http://bit.ly/2Q20R1t
Posted by LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV on Monday, September 24, 2018
Todd Allen, Brody’s dad, was so touched by the outpouring of community Christmas spirit for his son that he said it had restored his faith in humanity. He posted the news that Brody peacefully passed on the Facebook page that helped make his son’s last wishes come true.
“This morning at 6 am Brody passed quietly, and peacefully in the arms of his mother Shilo. He did not suffer. He was surrounded by his family and I have no doubt many angels. While our sadness is immeasurable and we will miss his smiling beautiful soul, we are also comforted in knowing that today our son has touched the face of God.”
“Today heaven welcomed home our little superhero.”
“Fly high little man.. Until we see you again. We love you.”
Following the news, the town came together once more, this time for a candlelight vigil and celebration of life. A banner flew picturing a smiling Brody inside a snowglobe that read:
“We loved Brody a lot, but God loved him more.”
Banner at the candlelight vigil for Brody Allen via Facebook/Team Brody
The vigil was Christmas themed, and the community carried items like teddy bears, candy canes, and superhero items to leave for the grieving family.
The family was presented with a proclamation declaring Sept. 23rd, “Brody Allen Day” in Colerain Township.
Last nights candlelight vigil for Brody was a special kind of beautiful. We were honored to present the family with a…
Posted by Greg Insco on Thursday, October 25, 2018
So now, every year the town will once more come together to recognize their little Christmas angel. He was a boy that touched an entire community and will continue to bring them together with the Christmas spirit, regardless of the time of year.
Featured image: Screenshot via YouTube