Manhattan Fire All-In On Project Fire Buddies' Mission To Uplift Critically Ill Children

MANHATTAN, IL — Dylan Ledvina had heard the name and what they did, long before he became involved with Project Fire Buddies.

Manhattan Fire Protection District firefighter Ledvina was just hoping the organization's momentum would bring it his way.

"I was already engaged," Ledvina said. "I would see it a lot, was just hoping that it would wind up happening to us."

Started in 2016, Project Fire Buddies engages volunteers from local fire departments to rally around children battling critical illness and their families. The organization partners with local chapters to bring comfort, fun, support and companionship to their "fire buddies." The now not-so-small and very mighty organization has expanded to 140 chapters in 10 states. The nonprofit's 800+ volunteers have impacted more than 700 children, with $2.7 million gifted to support and uplift families, according to its website.

Ledvina longed to be part of it, and in 2022, he got his chance. Project Fire Buddies Founder and CEO Kurt DeGroot approached the Manhattan department about creating its own chapter.

"They reached out, I put my name in the hat," Ledvina said. "I’ve been president since."

Ledvina has led the Manhattan chapter as it has embraced its own eight "fire buddies," and has watched how the experience has touched his fellow first responders. Their efforts are deeply personal, tailored to each fire buddy's interests and family's needs—Taylor Swift, guitars, live music, sports, etc.—designed to lift the weight of their conditions, even momentarily.

"They have these critical illnesses, and they’re battling every day," Ledvina said. "Day by day, they have challenges. When we’re able to schedule events, and visits, or send them to different kinds of events like concerts or trips—those kinds of things help give them something to look forward to—ongoing happiness. It’s just awesome to be a part of that."

Ledvina is supported by a board of firefighters Tom McKay and Shaun Stapinski as vice president and secretary, respectively, Lt. Kyle Eller as treasurer, Fire and Life Safety Educator Jackie O'Hara as administration, and board members Lt. Eric Murphy and firefighter Kalli Markle. Each takes on a fire buddy, and serves as liaison with the family.

"It takes an army," Ledvina said.

With extending their hearts to stir joy, also comes the pang of pain with loss. The chapter has experienced the deaths of two fire buddies in recent years.

Brendan Burns, 4, died in October 2023, after two years battling neuroblastoma. He was adored and beloved by the community and the chapter. Enamored with Spiderman, Brendan was dubbed the town's own "superhero." Just months before his death, he joined the ranks of those known as Manhattan's The Bravest, tapped as an honorary firefighter.

His death hit Ledvina hard.

"For me, that was the hardest thing I’ve dealt with," he said. "He was my fire buddy—from the start, to the finish. He was my first fire buddy.

"The battle with brain cancer he faced was very challenging—it just kept coming back."

At the time of Brendan's death, Ledvina's own son was hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit. It brought the stress and emotions of being a parent in those situations into tighter focus.

"100 percent more," Ledvina said, of fatherhood inspiring him to lean more into Project Fire Buddies. "You get those fatherly instincts, you start caring even more than before you had children. Night and day difference. You just get that fatherly instinct, and you just care more.

"You just feel blessed that your kids are healthy, and you just really feel for these families, especially after you go through things. Seeing that firsthand, it just put that to the forefront for me. The more I can do and help out, the better off all these families are."

The chapter faced a second loss, of fire buddy Madelyn Ronaldson. Madelyn, 14, died in December 2024 after enduring juvenile Sandhoff disease, an inherited disease that progressively destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Both Madelyn and her sister Mollie are members of Project Fire Buddies, and both are beloved by the firefighter volunteers who have doted on them throughout their journey with critical illness. Their sisterhood and inherent love for life captured supporters' hearts.

"Madelyn was very sweet," Ledvina reflected. "She was nonverbal, going through one of the most challenging diseases that I’ve ever witnessed in my life. ... And not really being able to explain what she was going through."

Madelyn loved music, she really loved Taylor Swift. The chapter was able to secure the family four tickets to one of the singer's Chicago shows.

And she also had her own private shows, by some lesser-known artists.

"Some of the guys would sing to her," Ledvina said. "You can just tell in her eyes, the joy she was getting, even though she couldn’t say it."

After Madelyn's death, the organization also sent the family to Disney.

"I’m sure in that time of need, they probably really needed it," Ledvina. "Just a little bit of joy and happiness in a time of need and challenges."

Another fire buddy—unique in his age of 18—loves playing the guitar, and the chapter has gifted him more than one.

"He plays guitar when we visit—it’s insane, he’s really, really good," Ledvina said. "He’s super-talented. Sometimes they (fire buddies) take the stage, and it’s so awesome."

Project Fire Buddies CEO DeGroot said the Manhattan chapter's passion for what began as a one-child effort in Oak Forest is clear.

"The Manhattan chapter of Project Fire Buddies is a beautiful reminder of the power of compassion," DeGroot told Patch. "Watching these firefighters become a source of strength, joy, and hope for children and families in the toughest battles is nothing short of incredible. Their hearts are fully in this—and it shows in every single visit, every smile, and every moment they create."

Ledvina knows that panning out, their work might not seem like much. But it's something.

"It’s not a lot—we’re not fixing these critical illnesses," he said. "But their day-to-day, it’s just challenges and battles that nobody but them are dealing with. The fact that we’re able to give back, create some joy, and smiles and happiness … We just love being able to assist, and do our part for the community."

The nonprofit's roots are traced back to an Oak Forest boy and his battle with cancer. Ryne Ward was just 5 years old when he was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor. It had consumed most of his blood and right kidney. Doctors were quick to excise the ailing organ, but the then-kindergartener faced 18 rounds of chemotherapy and many holidays spent in the hospital.

"Project Fire Buddies came into our lives during a very scary time," Ryne's mother Claudia Ward said. "Every day was filled with new challenges and the unknown; we were constantly on pins and needles. ... There were days when his spirits were down. He questioned why he had to go through his journey.

"Then, Project Fire Buddies contacted us. They wanted to meet Ryne. When the Oak Forest Fire Department arrived with sirens blaring, Ryne's tiny eyes grew so big! We were all so touched to see the crew enter our home with amazing gifts for Ryne."

They carried in an air hockey table, and faced off against Ryne in a couple rounds. (He won.)

"They allowed us to have a moment where the fear and sadness disappeared," Ward said. "When Ryne met Project Fire Buddies, it was like they gave him a little bit of a boost to find his super powers. It was a very special day that we will never forget, and PFB continues to include our family in special events. We really feel like we are a part of the Fire Buddy family."

Witnessing the organization's growth has been special for the family.

"Watching how Project Fire Buddies has grown so large has been an incredible experience!" Ward said. "Every time we hear of a new chapter joining, we all cheer! Watching footage of other little Fire Buddies getting there special moments always brings tears of happiness to me."

Ward recalls a hospital visit where both she and Ryne were being treated for the flu. They spotted a nurse in a Project Fire Buddies t-shirt, and asked where he had gotten it. The nurse said he had attended an event in a different city, found the mission inspiring, and wanted to support the organization.

"Ryne smiled from ear to ear and told the nurse that he was the very first Fire Buddy," Ward said. "It was a fun full circle moment to see how this amazing organization is spreading joy to so many families!"

Ryne is now 15 years old, and cancer free since 2016 (his final surgery marking that moment was during the World Series, Ward said). He is an excellent student with several academic achievements, including a 4.0 GPA. He is also a great athlete, Ward said. He was the conference champ for the mile (track) at Arbor Park Middle School; he just completed his freshman year at Tinley Park High School, where he was the right-handed pitcher and left-handed lead-off hitter for his team.

"We are so proud to see how far he has come despite his challenges," Ward said. "And we are so very grateful for Project Fire Buddies for bringing back the joy and courage to our little 5-year-old fighter."

Ledvina is honored to play a part in the organization's very special mission—one that runs parallel to a profession of public service, rescue, and selflessness.

"It’s a very humbling experience, to be able to help these families. And I think that’s why we all do it." Ledvina said.

"We’re all just caring, good-hearted people that want to help, and give back to our community—aside from just being firefighters."