In the three months of Landon Sneade’s life, he brought his family and, in his death, the community, closer together.

“He was like our rock,” said Stacie Rogers, Landon’s aunt. “He just meant the world to us. He brought us closer.”

Landon Carroll Sneade, who was 3 months old, died Nov. 21 of sudden infant death syndrome.

In his memory, family friends have organized a luncheon benefit to help Landon’s parents, Justin and Kristen Sneade, with medical and funeral expenses.

“For us to just sit back, and see all the lives Landon has touched,” said Stacie Rogers, “honestly, it’s truly amazing. It’s a blessing.”

Landon’s Legacy Benefit Luncheon will be Sunday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. at the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department. All proceeds will benefit the family, explained Shannon Gregory, who is organizing the event with Amanda Coleman, who both work with Landon’s grandmother, Candi Rogers, in Prince Frederick.

“They’re already going through the burden of losing a child,” Gregory said, “and God knows what else they’ll need.”

Gregory explained that Kristen would bring Landon into the office to visit Candi Rogers.

“We got to hold him and stuff, so it really [hurt] us when we found out what happened.”

Landon was admitted to the hospital Nov. 14 for breathing complications.

At first, Gregory said they put a sign up at work asking for prayers for Landon.

“When a few days had gone by, we found out it wasn’t going to have a good outcome. That’s when we wanted to do something,” Gregory said.

She explained that things came together quickly for a benefit and that people were donating what they could.

“Everything we’ve gotten for the benefit has been donated,” Gregory said.

The venue was donated by the Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department, where Candi Rogers is a member. Other donations include items for the silent auction and door prizes, printing services and food.

“They had to take [Landon] off life support. It became a memorial [benefit] at that point,” Gregory said.

Gregory said another reason she and Coleman wanted to do the benefit for the family was to “let [Candi Rogers] know how much we care for her. She’s part of our family, too.”

Gregory said throughout the planning process, she and the family have heard stories from other families who have been affected by SIDS.

“Maybe this [benefit] will turn into something bigger one day. Maybe it’ll help other families eventually. I don’t know,” Gregory said.

Stacie Rogers said she and the family “would like to thank the community for their support ... and helping my sister and her husband get through this hardship.”

aharrison@somdnews.com