Welcome! 

Did you know that October 25th is Official Chocolate Cake Day?  This day is in celebration of all children we are blessed to have in our lives, and all started because of a little boy named Andrew, who's life ended far too soon.  

The concept is quite simple. Eat something chocolate on October 25th,  remember Andrew, and be thankful for all of the children you are blessed to have in your life.  Savour the moments you have, because you just never know when they could be gone forever. 

 Andrew David Lennon Kelly was born on October 25, 1996, in Scarborough General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.  He died in his sleep on September 11, 2000, in his home in London, Ontario.  No cause of death was ever determined. 

In August 2000, Andrew discussed with his mother, Karen, how he would like to celebrate his 4th birthday. Enthusiastically he replied, "I want to go big bowling! And I want to eat chocolate cake!".  He had been enjoying his plastic bowling set in his Grampa Lennon's basement for many weeks at that point, and was looking forward to playing the real thing at an actual bowling alley.  As for the cake, chocolate was his favourite, hands down.  On weekly visits to a local doughnut shop, he would always ask for the chocolate doughnut "holes".  He always referred to them as "chocolate cake".  So bowling and chocolate cake for Andrew's 4th birthday was most appropriate indeed! 

Unfortunately, Andrew did not live to see his 4th birthday.  He did not get the opportunity to go "big bowling", nor did he get to eat his chocolate cake. 

Knowing how excited Andrew had been about his upcoming birthday, Karen decided that it was necessary to carry on his wishes as best as she could.  As difficult as it was, on October 25, 2000, she had some chocolate cake in honour of her beautiful first born son.  She invited close friends and family to do the same, in memory of Andrew.  She also went 10 pin bowling a few weeks after that. 

By the time October 25, 2001 arrived, Karen knew that it was important to have chocolate cake on that day.  She realized that anyone who knew Andrew was finding healing by celebrating his life, instead of focusing on his death.  Again, she invited close friends and family to eat chocolate cake on Andrew's birthday.  She extended the invitation to some online friends and acquaintences as well.  And most everyone who was invited to take part, then passed on invitations to others that they knew.  Some people brought in chocolate treats to work, to share with co-workers. Others baked a cake with their children to savour the moments of some family time. Others simply kept it to themselves, and ate some chocolate, guilt free.  Celebrating Andrew's life with chocolate cake day also made it easier for Karen to talk to Andrew's brothers, Eric, Alex, and Jonathan, about him.  It helped to encourage questions, in a fun way, and let them know more about the brother they never really had a chance to get to know (Eric was almost 16 months old when Andrew died, and the twins, Alex and Jonathan weren't born until 5 months after Andrew's funeral).  

In the fall of 2007, Karen decided to create an event on facebook, inviting her friends to take part in chocolate cake day that year.  She left the event open for anyone to join, knowing that people like to share the story of Andrew, and are rather touched by the simplicity of celebrating the life of children.  Much to her shock and amazement, over 4,240 people signed up to enjoy something chocolate on October 25, 2007, and over 26,700 people were invited. 

The facebook event prompted a steady influx of emails from people touched by Andrew's story.  Complete strangers would confide in Karen, stories of their children and loved ones who also passed away.  Requests to hear more about Andrew and his life also came in.  And so, the idea of creating a website to honour this special day and boy was born.