Al's Wheels for Alec Hail

“This is fun and exciting and there is something here for everyone to enjoy,” said East Providence High School freshman Alec Hail. Alec was clearly moved by the number of friends, classmates and community residents who came out to raise funds for his family. Alec is dealing with a degenerative form of Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) can result in muscle degeneration causing difficulty walking, breathing, and more. By age 10, braces may be required to aid in walking but most patients are wheelchair dependent by age 12. On Saturday evening, April 21st, hundreds of East Providence and other R.I. residents attended a pasta dinner held in Alec’s honor at EPHS. The event was a fundraiser to provide the Hail family with enough money to purchase a conversion van needed to transport Alec around the community and to medical appointments and social activities. “He gets a ride to and from school, but it ends there,” said event organizer Julie Friend. “It doesn’t seem fair. Alec can’t attend events after school or go shopping, etc. Contrary to what people may think, there are no regular programs to transport Alec and his family other than to school,” said Friend. Apropos to her last name, Julie Friend is a family friend who decided to try and help. “Our goal is to raise about $25,000 to purchase a low mileage used, reliable conversion van for the Hails,” said Friend.

Even though Saturday night was starting the spring recess for many families, a large crowd was in attendance. Of course, there was a great pasta dinner, raffle prizes, even free professional chair massages. Many notables were there including East Providence Mayor Bruce Rogers, School Committee members Chrissy Rossi, Steve Furtado and many teachers and students. The ever popular and noted Rhode Island Master of Ceremonies, Steve McDonald of WHJY/WHJJ radio was a volunteer MC for the night. McDonald, also the voice of the URI Rams basketball games, was his usual witty self as he peppered the crowd with one-liners and introduced guests and announced donations all evening. “I didn’t know Alec personally before tonight, but what a great young man he is,” said an obviously moved McDonald. “It is a pleasure to be a part of this event.”

Alec was accompanied by his parents Andy and Cindy and grandparents and other family. The Hails also have a 13 year old daughter. “We don’t know what to say,” Alec’s parents would express throughout the evening. “Thank you, thank you to everyone. What a night.” Alec was beaming most of the evening as friends and classmates treated him as a ‘star’. “I guess I want to be a computer graphic designer someday. I hope to go to a business school for that,” Alec offered. In addition to his school work, Alec enjoys NASCAR racing and the New England Patriots.

Also serving as an event organizer was East Providence High School social studies teacher Michael Silva. Silva is the advisor to the newly formed high school “Townie Volunteer Corps”. This group is made up of high school students who seek to make a difference in the community through volunteerism. Dan LaBrie is the student leader of the volunteer corps and helped as an event organizer. The Townie Volunteer Corps recruited the school’s Choral Ensemble choir to perform. In a very poignant moment, the choral group surrounded Alec’s family table and sang the Simon and Garfunkel classic, ‘He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother’. The entire cafeteria grew quiet and many an eye filled with a tear or two. “I am very proud of our student volunteers at EPHS,” said Silva. “They deserve all the credit for working so hard tonight. I’m just along to assist,” he added.

M.C. Steve McDonald was busy accepting and presenting donations all evening. McDonald introduced Steve Vierra of the ‘Minute Man Hogs’ motorcycle club. The members, clad in their leather biking gear, presented Alec with a check for $1,000.00. Leaders of the Riverside Little League also gave a $300. donation. Many others came forward with similar donations. Raffle items were given to the holders of winning tickets. Businesses and groups throughout the city helped to make the evening a success. Domenic Ponterelli from the United Food and Commercial Workers helped with donations from Stop and Shop in East Providence for virtually all the food for the dinner and Allen Silva of Sodexo Foods also secured food donations from Sodexo. The East Buffet and other businesses also came forward. John Rossi and Gary Jenkins volunteered their time to provide for police and fire supervision. “It all amazes me,” said Julie Friend. “Donations came from all over EP and I am so happy for Alec and his family.” School custodians, teachers and Chartwell’s School Food Service all provided hours of volunteer assistance and supplies. EPHS school resource officer, Doug Borden was glad to attend. “He’s a wonderful kid - seeing all this support in this community - it doesn’t get better than this. This is as it should be,” added Borden.

Pierce Stadium superintendent Joe Medeiros and his family were there. “I didn’t know Alec, but this is a worthy cause,” said the affable Medeiros, known to all who enjoy events at Pierce. “A parent, Linda Rogers, donated all the paper goods,” said Friend. “I hope we’re not forgetting people,” Friend worried out loud as she ran about the large cafeteria all evening.

As the night grew to a close, the wheelchair bound Alec Hail seemed to gain strength from the crowd. He smiled for pictures, he joked with friends and for one shining moment he stood tall in a hall filled with warm wishes washing over Alec and his motorized wheelchair. His parents stayed in the background mostly and watched proudly as their brave son handled the crowd like a seasoned politician. One couldn’t help feeling a sense of melancholy however, knowing that soon Alec would be back in school, facing an uncertain future with his DMD. Hopefully a vehicle will allow his family to get Alec to events and places he can now only think about attending.

At the end of the evening, organizers presented the family with a check for close to $11,000. As well-wishers applauded loudly, Alec smiled and waved to all. “Thank you everybody,” he said. “We had such fun,” he added.

As of this writing the ‘Al’s Wheels Fund’ is up to $14,000. Although Julie Friend, Mike Silva and others are happy with the results, they are hoping to receive more donations. Anyone can still send a donation. Checks can be made out to Al’s Wheels, c/o Columbus Credit Union, 3 Crescent View Ave, Riverside, RI 02915.