What if one day you woke up and said to yourself:

• I am going to do something good for others by forming a charity and
  creating a fundraising event that raises money for sick children.
• I am going to raise money by hosting a Whiffle Ball Tournament as the
  flagship event.
• I will coordinate food trucks, live entertainment, and a Home Run Derby.
•  People will love it!

Now imagine telling your altruistic and lofty plans to your significant other and family and friends …And that is where the story usually ends.

The naysayers will quickly rain on your parade by reminding you: (1) you have no experience starting a charity; (2) you do not have a team of organizers or volunteers to help you run this charity; (3) it will take dozens, if not hundreds of hours, to set up this charity; and (4) you have a full-time job with three young children.

But you are not Todd Rodman. 

Todd Rodman is the president of Sports Chiropractic and Natural Health Solutions. Todd lives in Parkland with his wife Lorin, the “do-it-all” wife who writes a lifestyle and fashion blog, “Styled as a Mother” and his three children, Jack (11), Reese (9) and Austin (7).

The Rodmans are the family that wear elaborate costumes for Halloween, constantly post funny videos to social media, and hold impromptu driveway musicals for their neighbors’ enjoyment. They are Parkland’s version of the social media darlings, the Holderness Family.

In 2017, Todd, in conjunction with the Jason Taylor Foundation, organized the Inaugural “Whiffle Blast,” which took place at Pine Trails Park in Parkland.

Todd, a college baseball player, came up with the idea for a Wiffleball tournament while playing a pick-up game with his family. Now going on their fifth year, Whiffle Blast has raised over $125,000 for children battling cancer and other pediatric emergencies. Every penny donated goes toward charity.

Whiffle Blast, a Whiffleball round-robin tournament, may be the most fun charity event you will ever attend. It is super competitive, but all for a good cause. Last year, 30 teams battled it out to be crowned champion.

Hundreds cheered on the Home Run derby.

Who knew Wiffleball could be so intense?

Having no experience planning a fundraising event, all while running a successful business, the first year was challenging at times. Todd and Lorin cobbled together their plans on scraps of notebook paper.

They relied on grassroots efforts to promote the event and procure entertainment and raffle items.

They spent sleepless nights calling restaurants for gift certificates, coordinating food trucks, making DIY signs, and baking cookies to make sure the event was not a failure. Even their children contributed by getting their friends to work as volunteers.

Friends and family were so inspired by Todd’s desire to give back to his community, that they also chipped in and tapped their connections to make the event a success.

When I asked Todd why he started a charity he said, “Giving back to our community is so important to me because I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the fence. I was inspired by the people before me who I look up to in the philanthropic community to pay it forward.”

Todd’s advice to anyone who wants to give back to their community: “Just do it. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it is a lot of work. And yes, it is the single most rewarding thing you can do with both your time and money. Your community will rally around you – they will not let you fail.”

Be inspired by Todd. Anyone can make a  difference – it is never too late. Do not get caught up in negativity. Do not be afraid to take chances. Parkland / Coral Springs is a resilient community that rallies around each other. To quote the movie Field of Dreams, “If you build it, he will come.” Todd Rodman built “Whiffle Blast” – that is his community legacy. What will you build? What will be your community legacy?

To learn more about Whiffle Blast check out https://jasontaylorfoundation.com/events/ whiffle-blast/. Start practicing hitting curve balls now as Whiffle Blast is on January 23, 2021.

Philip Snyder, Esq. is a partner at Lyons and Snyder, a Plantation law firm specializing in personal injury.