Family, Friends of Fallen Firefighter Continue to Help

In the six months since volunteer firefighter was killed in the line of duty, people from all over the region have reached out to support his family.

There have been multiple , along with several designed to assist Falkenhan’s wife Gladys and their children, Christian and Garrett.

Falkenhan’s cousin, Katie Haines, has been extremely appreciative for the love and support. But she also felt she wanted to do something a little more intimate as a way help celebrate a life cut far too short.

That is why she, along with several other of Falkenhan’s relatives, organized “Falkenhan’s Friends: A Mark Falkenhan Fund Benefit.” About 50 tickets, which cost $40, remain for the event. It is scheduled for 7 p.m.-12 a.m. on July 1 at Columbus Gardens in Perry Hall.

Dinner will be a bull roast menu, including pit beef, ham and turkey, chicken, sausage and barbeque along with soup, salads, deli and even a taco bar. There will also be an open bar and live music. Money raised from the event will go toward a fund set up by the Baltimore County Fallen Firefighters Association for the Falkenhan family.

“We just wanted to do something as a family to show how much Mark meant to us and how much we love Gladys and the boys,” Haines said. “This event has really turned into a celebration of Mark’s life by those that knew him best.”

Haines said most of the guests so far are people that knew Falkenhan, a Middle River native who died battling an apartment blaze on Jan. 19. In addition, Brandon McKinney of the Baltimore Ravens is coming by for an hour or two that night to sign autographs for a fee, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Falkenhan Fund.

Also, decorations for the tables were provided by the students at St. Ursula's School, who drew place mats showing their appreciation for firefighters and others they consider heroes.

“Mark died trying to help others, and we have learned just how much he meant to those in his life over the last six months,” Haines said. “He was truly loved by everyone who came in contact with him.”

Those interested in purchasing tickets can contact Haines at rybeth@aol.com