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It Began With Cody


Viewed: 2635

Posted by: Steve Hardwick
Date: Oct 13 2018 6:50 PM

I’ve been asked many times
“ How did you get started doing Cake FUNDRAISERS FOR CHILDREN? “


It started about 4 years ago with CODY HAYES.
I didn’t know Cody but I had seen posts on Facebook about Cody fighting Leukemia and at the same time trying to cheer up other children with cancer at Children’s Hospital.
I thought to myself...WoW here’s this high school boy fighting for his own life but putting other children with cancer first before him.
So after seeing this pretty shiny Kitchen Aid mixer on QVC I told Mary Hannah ..I think I could make 20 poundcakes from my moms recipe and make $500 for that family.
So I bought the mixer, asked my Mom for her recipe and on the first cake with Mary Hannah’s help we slung Cake mix all over us and the kitchen.
I learned from on the job experience very quickly to keep the beaters in the bowl when you turn it on HIGH!!
After a few more mistakes like leaving out the sugar, egg shells in the cake, and Cake crumbling out of the pan I finally got the hang of it.
One thing I do remember and will never forget..in the movie THE BUCKET LIST..one of the things on their list to do was..Laugh Til You Cry.
Well when Mary Hannah saw me sling cake batter everywhere..WE BOTH LAUGHED UNTIL WE CRIED.
I posted on Facebook CAKES FOR CODY and amazingly instead of making $500 for Cody Hayes it made $9500.00
Yes that was a lot of money but I learned that even though the money would help them with medical bills and other expenses from his parents being off work so they could be with Cody at Children’s Hospital they would much rather not need it and have their child home with them totally cured from his cancer. For the Hayes Family that was not to be...Cody Hayes, the high school kid who constantly tried to cheer up every other child with cancer on his floor, lost his battle to cancer.


I had no idea that Cody would change my life forever.


And from there I have done Cake Fundraisers for many more remarkable children.
Connor, Jeremiah, Libby Claire , Hailey , Paresia, Addy Kate, Paisley, Avalyn, Addison, Bella and now Rylann.


I had no idea that each of them would also change my life forever.


Over $170,000 has now been raised from the Cake Fundraisers for those children and you might be shocked to know this..


NONE OF THE FAMILIES ASKED ME TO HELP THEM..


I Asked if I could HELP THEM
and all were reluctant to accept because of their family pride.
I remember talking to one father and he said how bad he felt for accepting it and I said I understand how you feel but You Are Going To Need It and that will be one less thing you have to worry about.


After Cody and Paresia lost their battles with Cancer I decided I wanted to do something to Remember All Children Who Are No Longer With Us..and from that idea The Angel Of Hope project was started in July of 2016 and by November 2016 the beautiful Angel Of Hope was erected at Westgate Park for every parent who has Ever lost a child for any reason including pregnancy loss..doesn’t matter how long ago or how recent their child was called to Heaven it’s for ALL CHILDREN.


Yes every child I did a fundraiser for changed my life forever...


IT ISN’T ABOUT WHAT I DID FOR THEM
IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT EACH OF THEM DID FOR ME
THEY EACH HEALED MY HEART WHEN I NEEDED IT THE MOST
I LOVE EVERY ONE OF THEM AND I THINK OF CODY, PARESIA, LIBBY CLAIRE AND ADDY KATE EVERY DAY WHO WERE CALLED TO HEAVEN AFTER FIGHTING A HEROIC BATTLE AGAINST A FEARCE ENEMY.


THEY EACH WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED, MISSED AND REMEMBERED BY THEIR LOVING FAMILY, FRIENDS


AND BY ME❤️❤️


My sincere thanks to everyone who has ever donated to the fundraisers


and to everyone that has helped me with the cake fundraisers


I love you all 


Steve Hardwick




It Began With Cody

It Began With Cody

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It Began With Cody

It Began With Cody

It Began With Cody

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