Local Family Leaps in Frozen Lake for Good Cause

Manchester resident Bob Alvarez and his son Bobby will be participating in the 6^th annual Ford Lake Frozen Leap.  The Ford Lake Frozen Leap is an annual event in Ypsilanti, MI that raises money and awareness for local non-profits.  Over the past 5 years the “Frozen Leap” has raised over $40,000 for local charities, including $25,000 last year alone for SOS Community Services, an organization dedicated to preventing and ending family homelessness in Washtenaw County. This year, the Frozen Leap is partnering with The Mike Hart Family Foundation in hopes of raising funds and awareness for Growing Hope, Ele's Place and Detroit Dollars for Scholars.   Bob is a Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Deputy and will be participating as a part of the Sheriff’s Department’s “Squeal Team Six”.

For Bob, this event is personal.  His young son, Johnny, passed away March 2011 in a tragic accident.  The family was referred to Ele’s Place to help them cope with the loss and try to heal.   Ele's Place is a non-profit healing center for grieving children and teens.  Each week, peer support group programs help hundreds of children, ages 3-18, learn how to cope and begin to heal after the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member, or friend.   Today, Bob’s kids and wife still attend sessions regularly.  They have found it to be extremely beneficial to their family in their time of need.  Bob is grateful for their services and wants to give back to Ele’s Place.

I asked Bob what his plan was for jumping into a frozen lake in the middle of February.  His reply was “try to get out of the water as quick as possible!”  Bobby, on the other hand, has been preparing by doing snow angels bare foot in a sleeveless t-shirt.   If you happen to head out to Ford Lake on Saturday to witness this event, look for the Alvarez men, they’ll be dressed as Scoobie Doo and Shaggy.

Ford Lake Frozen Leap is happening this coming Saturday, February 15^th, 2013 10AM – 2PM (jumps begin at noon) at Lake Shore Apartments, Ypsilanti, Michigan   Please consider donating to this wonderful cause.  Follow the Link for Squeal Team Six and click on a team member.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by News News