LANSING - It was about a month ago when Lansing Fireman Dennis Rodeman was struck and killed by a motorist while collecting donations for a charity. Only a few short weeks before that, Michigan State Trooper, Chad Wolf was also struck by a motorist while he was riding his motorcycle.

Tanya Baucom and Matt Fuller are the owners of the new Knockerball Lansing, a sport that involves playing soccer in a large inflatable bubbles. Both Baucom and Fuller said that they wanted to provide assistance to the families that have been affected by these tragic losses.

"The first time I heard about Dennis, I called Tanya right a way and I said, 'We should do something for Knockerball as a fundraiser,' and she goes, 'Oh, I'm already planning it," said Fuller.

"I was already deep into it," Baucom said.

To Baucom and Fuller, this is a prime opportunity to strengthen bonds across the Lansing community and to put more of a positive light onto those in public service.

"There's been a lot of negativity in the media about police officers and we just want our community to respect and support and just come together," said Baucom.

"And this has been an amazing event to host, because the community has come together," Fuller added, "We weren't reaching out as much as people were calling us to participate in it."

The participants in the fundraiser did not charge them for the equipment, food and other materials used in the event. According to Baucom, virtually everything was at no cost to them from the restaurants donating the food, to the City of Lansing waiving their fees.

Though the fundraiser has been given a lot of help from area business, neither of the organizers are certain as to what kind of financial goals they'd like to see as a bottom line.

"Every little bit helps," Fuller said, "I'm very happy with the turnout we've had and the response we've had from the community in the Lansing area... We didn't have any set expectations, we just hope to have a bunch of people out, be aware of the cause and have a good time."

Both Baucom and Fuller hope that the Badges Unite Fundraiser is a good start to recognize the contributions made to public service officials.

"They kiss their spouse and their kids every day and hoping to come back home and they're out there protecting us, making sure we're safe. I don't know what other way to recognize something so amazing that people do," said Baucom.