Support Noah and Jackson Dennie
Donation protected
Our goal: we want to cover Noah (21) and Jackson (17) Dennie's mortgage and utility bills, funeral costs, lawyer fees, transportation costs, and much more so they can focus on their education until they can work on selling their home and focus on re-establishing their lives.
Noah and Jackson Dennie lost their father, Rick Dennie, in the early hours on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The boys, both working their way through their education, are now living without a mother (deceased at age 12 and 9) and father. Their entire extended family network resides in Ontario, Canada and is doing everything they can to support, but pandemic restrictions have made it even more challenging. Currently, Noah has begun the work of taking guardianship of Jackson while the boys try to steady themselves during these difficult times.
Who am I and why do I care? My name is David Theune and I am working with family and concerned friends to help the boys cope with their loss and stabilize their immediate future. I am an established member of the Spring Lake, Michigan community and a longtime employee of Spring Lake Schools. I have known Noah and Jackson for almost four years now, working with them through various challenges of the past. Why help? Because these boys are capable, smart young men and they each have a bright future.
But they need our help right now.
The income is minimal and the bills are mounting and will only get bigger in the coming months.
The boys have had a traumatic past. They lost their mother, at ages 12 and 9, to suicide. Their father, who enjoyed a 25-year nursing career in critical care and management, suffered a debilitating back injury resulting in disability and early retirement. Rick passed away from a heart attack with the boys at his side attempting CPR.
Noah is a third-year student at Aquinas College, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Spanish and French. He hopes to continue his journey into academics.
Jackson is a junior at Spring Lake High School. He hopes to wrap up his driver's training soon to expand his possibilities with employment and social life.
These boys love their parents and plan to honor them by living meaningful lives, but they need our help. They need our community to say, "We want the best for you. Education is a good path. Keep at it. We'll cover your bills until June."
These funds will be SPECIFICALLY stored in an account, under my name, and will be used to cover the financial burdens associated with the following:
-Funeral
-Cremation
-Education
-Housing
-Legal Fees
-Clothing
-Food
We--family, family friends, supporters and advocates of Noah and Jackson, employees of Spring Lake Schools, employees of Aquinas College--encourage you to help these boys through this most challenging time. They deserve it.
These children are mourning this most recent loss as best they can. Let’s help minimize the burden of their financial worries and allow them to grieve today and live tomorrow!
Thank you!
_________________________
Alternate donation option:
-If preferred, you may send a check written to David Theune with a note in the memo "For Noah and Jackson Dennie" to the following:
Spring Lake High School
c/o David Theune
16140 148th Ave.
Spring Lake, MI 49456
__________________________
Update from January 19: While the support has been extreme, the need remains. But as we have now changed our goals from short-term help to some long-term care, it's important that you know my plans as an organizer. We are now looking at investment options for these gifts and plan to create a plan, with financial adviser support, that will allow the boys money to re-establish now and a safety net moving into the future.
Once we have established the financial institution, we will release the funds to that organization and connect the Dennie boys with someone who will help them through the journey.
Noah and Jackson Dennie lost their father, Rick Dennie, in the early hours on Saturday, January 9, 2021. The boys, both working their way through their education, are now living without a mother (deceased at age 12 and 9) and father. Their entire extended family network resides in Ontario, Canada and is doing everything they can to support, but pandemic restrictions have made it even more challenging. Currently, Noah has begun the work of taking guardianship of Jackson while the boys try to steady themselves during these difficult times.
Who am I and why do I care? My name is David Theune and I am working with family and concerned friends to help the boys cope with their loss and stabilize their immediate future. I am an established member of the Spring Lake, Michigan community and a longtime employee of Spring Lake Schools. I have known Noah and Jackson for almost four years now, working with them through various challenges of the past. Why help? Because these boys are capable, smart young men and they each have a bright future.
But they need our help right now.
The income is minimal and the bills are mounting and will only get bigger in the coming months.
The boys have had a traumatic past. They lost their mother, at ages 12 and 9, to suicide. Their father, who enjoyed a 25-year nursing career in critical care and management, suffered a debilitating back injury resulting in disability and early retirement. Rick passed away from a heart attack with the boys at his side attempting CPR.
Noah is a third-year student at Aquinas College, majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Spanish and French. He hopes to continue his journey into academics.
Jackson is a junior at Spring Lake High School. He hopes to wrap up his driver's training soon to expand his possibilities with employment and social life.
These boys love their parents and plan to honor them by living meaningful lives, but they need our help. They need our community to say, "We want the best for you. Education is a good path. Keep at it. We'll cover your bills until June."
These funds will be SPECIFICALLY stored in an account, under my name, and will be used to cover the financial burdens associated with the following:
-Funeral
-Cremation
-Education
-Housing
-Legal Fees
-Clothing
-Food
We--family, family friends, supporters and advocates of Noah and Jackson, employees of Spring Lake Schools, employees of Aquinas College--encourage you to help these boys through this most challenging time. They deserve it.
These children are mourning this most recent loss as best they can. Let’s help minimize the burden of their financial worries and allow them to grieve today and live tomorrow!
Thank you!
_________________________
Alternate donation option:
-If preferred, you may send a check written to David Theune with a note in the memo "For Noah and Jackson Dennie" to the following:
Spring Lake High School
c/o David Theune
16140 148th Ave.
Spring Lake, MI 49456
__________________________
Update from January 19: While the support has been extreme, the need remains. But as we have now changed our goals from short-term help to some long-term care, it's important that you know my plans as an organizer. We are now looking at investment options for these gifts and plan to create a plan, with financial adviser support, that will allow the boys money to re-establish now and a safety net moving into the future.
Once we have established the financial institution, we will release the funds to that organization and connect the Dennie boys with someone who will help them through the journey.
Fundraising team (6)
David Theune
Organizer
Spring Lake, MI
Gretchen Rumohr
Team member
Jill Straub
Team member
Nikki Theune
Team member
Sue Theune
Team member
