Cody's Mission

This August will mark the fifth annual Climb for Kids. Over the course of the past four Climb for Kids campaigns we’ve raised an incredible $4,498.00 on behalf of the First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF). This year Cody will be hiking up Mt. Rogers in Sugar Grove, VA via the Mt. Rogers Trail. It is his hope to raise another $1,000.00 for this amazing philanthropic organization. The First Responders Children’s Foundation supports the families that have either lost or had an injured loved one while they were in the line of duty. Please join Cody in supporting the FRCF!!! 

About Cody

After graduating from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Cody became a Law Enforcement Officer. He has spent a total of seven and a half years in this field. He started the Climb for Kids in 2021 when he hiked up Mt. Mitchell in Burnsville, N.C. Aside from hiking, he enjoys working out and completing do-it-yourself projects around the house with his lovely wife, Caitlyn. They have two cuddly and chaotic dogs, Rosie and Lily. He is a big Detroit sports fan often spending his days cheering for the Tigers and Lions.

Why the Hike?
 For law enforcement, a total of 111 officers lost their lives in 2025 as reported by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. This represents a 25% decrease from the year 2024. Each of these fatalities fell into three separate categories. The largest of those figures were firearm-related deaths (44). Traffic-related fatalities and other causes each reported 33 deaths last year. The average officer leaves behind two children at home along with countless other loved ones. 

Firefighters faced 77,850 fires within the United States in 2025. Alaska, California, Oregon, and Arizona experienced the most significant damage from these wildfires. The total damage throughout the United States amounted to 5.13 million acres burned. 81 firefighters lost their lives in 2025 (U.S. Fire Administration).

We believe it’s vital to help those in need when able and pay our respects to the heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice over the last twelve months. For the families who have a fallen or injured loved one, any donation, big or small, goes a long way to help them in their time of need.

Why First Responders Children’s Foundation?
The FRCF aids the families of first responders who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. The organization covers the cost of funerals, awards cash grants to relieve financial hardships, and distributes scholarship money for the children of a first responder injured or killed in the line of duty. During the holidays, FRCF will deliver toys to the families they support. Check out all the programs they support at Our Programs - First Responders Children's Foundation : Support Frontline Heroes (1strcf.org).

This work has led the FRCF to receive a “Give With Confidence” score of 94/100 through CharityNavigator.org. They have also been deemed a 2025 Platinum-Level GuideStar organization, meaning they are fully committed to being a transparent foundation as measured by Candid. This rating agency determines the level of transparency shown by philanthropies across the United States. A donor can choose to donate in honor of a specific person(s) or support the FRCF as a whole. All these reasons make the First Responders Children’s Foundation the perfect partner to help.

Why Mt. Rogers?

Located in Grayson County, VA, Mt. Rogers is the perfect place to complete the fifth annual hike on behalf of the FRCF. I will begin this journey on Route 603 and hike to the summit at 5,729 feet. The round-trip will take about seven hours to complete covering just over thirteen miles, and climbing roughly 2,500 ft. Mt. Rogers is the highest mountain within the state of Virginia. The hike has been described as “Hard” by the popular hiking website, Alltrails.com. The sights and wildlife are nothing short of beautiful.
 
 Thank you all for your support of us and the FRCF. Any donation will make a big difference in improving the lives of first responder families and honoring the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We look forward to taking on Mt. Rogers with your help!!!