A Legacy of Light and Love

Andy’s Angels began as a simple gesture of support and love for a man who meant so much to so many. What started as a social site created by his dear friends Rabiah Burk and Susan Glaize during a health crisis soon blossomed into a heartfelt mission to bring joy and holiday magic to those facing unimaginable challenges.

On April 5, 2022, Andy Rooks underwent what was expected to be a routine surgery to remove colon cancer. But severe complications followed, and Andy spent 243 consecutive days in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Thanksgiving week of that year, he was given a terminal diagnosis: Stage 4 liver cancer. Deemed too weak for surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, he was released into hospice care and told he had just a few weeks to live.

When Andy returned home, he was greeted by a beautiful surprise—a freshly cut, fully decorated Christmas tree glowing in the corner of his condo. That tree, donated by kind strangers at a local tree lot and set up by friends Rabiah, Craig Waldenmeier, and Susan Glaize, transformed his space into a place of peace and magic. It lifted his spirits in a time of deep uncertainty and gave him the strength to face the holidays with joy.

That moment sparked an idea. Friend and supporter Kat McCollum envisioned that Andy’s Angels could become a legacy—an annual event that would deliver fully decorated Christmas trees to others in hospice care or to families going through difficult times during the holidays. What began as a single act of kindness became a movement of hope.

Miraculously, Andy rallied. In January 2023, he was discharged from hospice and began cancer treatment. He cherished every extra day, pouring his energy into growing Andy’s Angels and sharing its message with the community.

Andy died peacefully on January 20, 2025. His passing left a tremendous void, but his mission continues.

Today, Andy’s Angels lives on in his memory. In partnership with The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, V’s Pizza V for Victory, Lone Warrior Foundation, and other local organizations, Andy’s Angels continues to bring light, comfort, and joy to those who need it most during the holiday season.

Each year, volunteers and donors come together to provide trees, lights, and decorations—creating magical holiday moments that uplift and inspire families in need reminding them they’re not alone during the season of giving.

In the weeks before he passed, Andy had an idea to expand Andy's Angels' mission to include providing Comfort Bunnies to children undergoing cancer treatment in the Spring. We were able to act on this, his last wish, and now provide beautiful, plush Comfort Bunnies to pediatric patients with cancer.

Andy’s story reminds us all that even in the darkest times, kindness and community can light the way.