The McAlvey Field of Dreams

We were recently alerted about Bob McAlvey, a recently retired forty-four year old Meridian Township firefighter and paramedic, who has been diagnosed with ALS (commonly known in the U.S. as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  This disease has no cure and is fatal.  It has forced Bob to retire after 20 years of dedicated service. 

Bob and his wife, Tina, have had a dream for many years to build their family home on the property they own in Haslett, Michigan.  They, along with their five children—Ben, Tom, Dan, Sam and Joe—are currently living in a 1,100 square-foot, two-story home in Lansing.  As Bob’s condition progresses it will be necessary for him to live in a wheelchair accessible home.  Through a network of friends and family, work has begun on the home of their dreams.  While Bob and Tina have arranged financing to complete their home, the family will obviously be facing financial hardships relating to medical expenses and medical care, as well as the expense of raising their children.

Family and friends are organizing two fundraisers at this time: a golf outing will be held on Saturday, May 22^nd, and a fund-raising auction will be held in early July.  Donations of raffle prizes and hole sponsors for the golf outing and donations of all types for the auction are being sought.  (Bob was a state champion wrestler at Haslett High School and earned his varsity letter in wrestling at the University of Michigan; sports related paraphernalia, including event tickets, would be meaningful and highly valued donations.  However, ALL donations will be greatly appreciated.)

If you wish to make a donation, please contact Jill Dimmitt.  She can be reached at (517) 694-7145 (evenings), (517) 749-0679 (days), or at jill@foresightgr.com.  If you wish, items may be mailed to: Jill Dimmitt, 1975 Burton, Holt, MI  48842.

A fund has also been established through Bob and Tina’s church.  If you wish to donate in this way, please make (tax deductible) checks payable to “Bob McAlvey Family Fund” and mail to: Bob McAlvey Family Fund, c/o First Christian Church, 1001 Chester Rd., Lansing, MI  48912.