Ride For Life: Friends build home for firefighter with ALS

HASLETT - When he bought the 42-acre property northeast of Haslett 15 years ago, Bob McAlvey dreamed of eventually building a home there.

The dream is well on the way to becoming a reality - even though it has taken a nightmarish twist.

McAlvey, 44, was forced to retire earlier this year after 20 years as a Meridian Township firefighter and paramedic because of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The progressive muscular disease already robbed McAlvey - a state championship wrestler at Haslett High School who earned a varsity letter in wrestling at the University of Michigan - of much of his upper body strength and his ability to speak clearly. It has no cure and is almost always fatal.

But friends and family were not about to let McAlvey's dream go unrealized. Construction on the 2,500-square-foot one-story home, using mainly volunteer labor provided by firefighters from Meridian and other departments, members of First Christian Church of Lansing and family, began in February.

"The willingness of people to help with this project speaks to the type of person Bob is," said Monty Nye, president of Meridian Township Local 1600 of the International Fire Fighters Union.

"He has given to the people in this community for 20-some years."

Although financing for the house is set, McAlvey's cousin, Jill Dimmitt of Holt, is leading fund-raising efforts to help the family meet medical costs and living expenses.

McAlvey and his wife, Tina, have five sons, ranging in age from 3 to 18.

"Bob has always been available to help others in need and willing to share his vast knowledge of animals and nature," Dimmitt said.

"He is a great man who has risked his life many times to save the lives of others. We want to show our love and appreciation to him by making sure his family has a secure future."

Dimmitt's husband, Jim, a licensed builder, volunteered to act as general contractor on the home-building and spends almost every day working on the project. McAlvey also is there most days, doing whatever he can to help out.

The McAlveys currently live in an 1,100-square-foot, one-bathroom home in Lansing.

If all goes well, the family will be able to move into their spacious new four-bedroom, three-bathroom home next month.

"There aren't enough words to let people know how thankful I am for what they're doing," McAlvey said.

Although it appears inevitable that McAlvey will eventually be forced to use a wheelchair, Jim Dimmitt said McAlvey refused to alter the floor plans of the house significantly to make it easier for him to get around.

He wants the house to be a place where his family will be comfortable without lasting reminders of his affliction.

How to help
Volunteer to help with the home-building project. Call Bill Priest, 410-0700

Donate to the Bob McAlvey Family Fund, c/o First Christian Church, 1001 Chester Road, Lansing, MI 48912