The tragic events surrounding the death of Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman dominated social media in the Mid-Michigan area Wednesday, Sept. 9. Rodeman was struck and killed in Lansing by a hit-and-run driver while collecting donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The prayers were especially loud in Eaton County, where Rodeman has many ties.
Heide Dean, chair of the Charlotte Frontier Days board said the organization’s Facebook page received a number of questions asking if Frontier Days would do anything to help Rodeman’s family.
“We were first contacted by the Community of Christ Church, where he was a member,” Dean said. “People started calling after that.”
In a matter of hours, the Frontier Days board had managed to put together a number of opportunities for the local community to help support Rodeman’s family. Frontier Days will be requesting donations at both the Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 rodeos, during the annual charity car show, held at Community of Christ Church on Saturday afternoon and all three days at the Candy Ford Saloon.
The most impactful event, though, may be the annual parade, which typically draws thousands of guests to the community. Members of the Charlotte Fire Department and Vermontville Fire Department, where he served on the department for a number of years, will walk the parade route, taking donations for his family. The parade will begin with a moment of silence in his honor.
A GoFundMe account, established by the City of Lansing had already generated $36,000 in seven hours as of Thursday afternoon. To donate online, go to www.gofundme.com/lansinghero. For more information about opportunities to donate during Frontier Days, contact Frontier Days board vice chair Wendi Cooper at (517) 231-1213.
