Among the roster of high energy, traditional Columbus Day weekend activities in Old Forge—the parade, alumni soccer game, and soccer tournament—is a more somber event held at the Old Forge lakefront: the “46 Luv Balloons” launch.
The launch is held in memoriam of Matt Girouard and Craig Sears, local boys who lost their lives in an alcohol-related accident on October 11, 2009.
The 46 balloons signify their combined ages at the time of the accident.
Gisele Kress, Matt’s mother, invites the community to join family and friends at the lakefront on Friday, October 10 at 4:30 p.m. in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the tragic accident.
In light of the tragedy, the memory of Matt and Craig lives on through MAC’s Safe Ride, an Old Forge-based livery service started by Kress, her friend Beth Tickner and a host of volunteers in November 2010.
Since its inception—with the donation of a minivan by Enchanted Forest Water Safari, community donations and the support of volunteer drivers and navigators—MAC’s has provided over 14,000 safe rides to passengers in need.
With the rise in numbers of folks utilizing the service and the approaching holiday season, MAC’s is currently seeking another van as a back-up for more heavily trafficked nights.
MAC’s Safe Ride volunteers will be on-site at Friday night’s alumni game and throughout the soccer tournament selling their new line of MAC’s sweatshirts, kids t-shirts and caps in a fund-raising effort to reach their new goal.