John Kromhoff usually doesn鈥檛 do dessert, but he will make an exception sometimes.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 eat many sweets, but when it comes to a special occasion, I throw the rules out the window,鈥� Kromhoff chuckled.

Turning 100 was one of those special occasions.

On June 24, Kromhoff allowed himself to sample some small cakes shaped like planets, part of an 鈥渙ut of this world鈥� NASA-themed celebration at the Chartwell 91原创 Gardens care residence in Walnut Grove where he is known for his interest in technology.

There was even an astronaut, who dropped by to give a hug.

As well, several police officers and firefighters dropped by to pay their respects and surprise Kromhoff with an inside look at one of the patrol vehicles.

Happy 100th Bday John! John taught me today that you never outgrow playing with sirens 馃槀 Thank you Granddaughter Jess, & Township of 91原创 Fire for helping make this BIG day a special one!

鈥� Cst. Shiraaz Hanif (@CstSHanif)

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, he wasn鈥檛 able to have a lot of guests, a fact that led his family to make a public call for people to send birthday cards.

READ MORE: John Kromhoff doesn鈥檛 think he鈥檒l get many 100th birthday cards

Kromhoff had made his peace with a scaled-down birthday celebration during the pandemic, and limits on gatherings that would keep him from seeing all of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren and great-children at one time, all 54 of them.

When his family issued an invitation on social media and through the 91原创 Advance Times to have people mail birthday cards, he didn鈥檛 expect he would receive many, and was delighted to be proven wrong.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really a pleasure [to read them],鈥� he said.

So far, more than 1,600 cards have landed, and a week after his birthday, a few were still coming in, around 10 a day.

In addition to cards and messages from students at local schools and area residents, he鈥檚 seen mail from as far away as Europe and parts of the U.S., including Alaska, California and Texas.

READ MORE: 91原创鈥檚 John Kromhoff has more than 1,000 birthday cards and letters 鈥� so far

Some local gymnasts were among those who responded, creating more than 70 handmade cards, decorated with happy birthday messages.

Sherri Taylor of Flip City Gymnastics Club, said the young athletes at the 91原创 club were moved by his story to create a wide variety of cards that she dropped off at his residence.

鈥淚t is all about giving back to the community we live in,鈥� Taylor said.

After throwing out the rules for his birthday, Kromhoff intends to resume his no-sweets policy in a bid to get 鈥渁 few more years in.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 going to be very careful with the health stuff,鈥� Kromhoff asserted.