GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE — Red balloons blew back and forth in the wind slapping into each other Saturday afternoon as Melanie Moretti’s family members prepared to release them to officially open the 14th Annual Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge at Geneva State Park.
A variety of family members each grabbed a few balloons before releasing them into the chilly wind and snow that gripped Geneva State Park Saturday afternoon.
Moretti was killed in a hit-skip crash in December on Fargo Drive in Ashtabula Township. Family members said they have been overwhelmed by love and concern from the community during the last several months.
An Edgewood student got the idea of starting the plunge in her honor, said Chandra Brude who directed the Polar Bear Plunge with Sharon Bradley. She said the students also printed shirts to honor her memory.
“It was just wonderful. The children have been wonderful and the school has been wonderful,” Moretti said. He said it is so sad when you lose a child, but the community and the media has made a big difference.
Gayle Avallone said there has been a lot of love shown to the family. “They (the plunge and students) made a cold day very, very warm,” she said.
Tammy Cutlip, Moretti’s mother, also expressed her thanks to the community for all the support. She said that if Melanie were at the event Saturday she would have been throwing snowballs.
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