The Garrett Bardsley Foundation
UPDATE 6
Sadly we were not able to find Melvin during the volunteer search effort. Summit County Search and Rescue has scaled back their search effort and we are doing the same. If new information becomes available we stand ready to help again and will alert our volunteers. For now no further volunteer searches are planned.
Thank you so much to all the volunteers that helped in the search. We wish we had a better outcome but your time and energy is greatly appreciated by everyone involved.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Melvin and his family.
Thank you,
The Garrett Bardsley Foundation
UPDATE 5: Volunteer search will *not* continue Sunday
After further consultation with the Summit County Search and Rescue, the volunteer search will continue all day today (Saturday), but it will *not* continue tomorrow (Sunday).
Volunteers are still very much needed today (Saturday) and we hope to have as much help as possible to cover as much ground as we possibly can.
Thank you so very much to all volunteers that are coming up today or that have come up the past few days to help in the search. We apologize if the change in search plans for Sunday has disrupted anyone's schedule unnecessarily.
Our hearts and prayers are with Melvin and his family, and we'll be searching as much as we possibly can today in hopes of finding him today.
Thank you,
The Garrett Bardsley Foundation
UPDATE 4: Search to continue Saturday
Volunteers are still urgently needed for the search!
Thank you to all the volunteers we've had so far.
We are planning to continue assisting with the search at least through the Saturday. Anyone who is available to help, regardless of skill level (as long as they are healthy and able to traverse the terrain), will be greatly appreciated. Horses are extremely helpful. ATVs cannot traverse the terrain there.
Here is a Google Maps link with directions to Crystal Lake.
We will be ready for volunteers starting at 7am each morning at the Crystal Lake Trailhead and we will give instruction and direction for searching. If you cannot arrive before 4pm it would probably be best to consider waiting until the following day, unless you are planning on camping overnight.
Regarding camping: There likely aren't any official campsites available, but you should be able to find a "dispersed campsite" (without facilities/amenities) if you are prepared for that.
Please do bring water, food, sun protection, etc.
Note: Unfortunately we cannot have children under 14 years old at the search area.
Thank you so much to everyone that has volunteered already or is planning to volunteer!
UPDATE 3: All volunteers desperately needed for Friday search
Unfortunately Melvin has still not been found and Tomorrow (Friday) we need as many volunteers (on horse or on foot) as possible. If anyone is able to come, please do and please let us know that you are coming.
We had around 20 or so volunteers today (thank you!) but we could use a lot more than that if anyone is available. Melvin is in trouble having been out so long, and if he is injured it's probably a ground-pounder that is going to find him. For his sake and the sake of his family we'd ask for your very generous help if at all possible. Thank you so much everyone!!!
Please send us an email if you are going to come so that we can get an approximate headcount.
Volunteers that can come should meet the Summit County Search and Rescue at the Crystal Lake Trailhead, starting at 7am, or as soon as you can get there (the earlier the better).
UPDATE 2: Volunteers of all kinds needed on Thursday
Tomorrow (Thursday) we will be in need of any healthy volunteers. Horses
are especially needed but ground pounders are needed as well.
Please
send us an email
if you are going to come
so that we can get an approximate headcount.
We will be ready for volunteers at 7am with the Summit County Search and Rescue at the Crystal Lake Trailhead.
Thank you!
UPDATE 1: Horsemen and ground pounders needed today
Today (Wednesday) we are in need of any horsemen or ground pounders.
Anyone who is available to help search, please
send us an email
to let us know you are coming up, and meet the Summit County Search and Rescue at the Crystal Lake Parking Lot / Trailhead.
Potential Search Effort: Man Lost Near Crystal Lake
Wednesday, August 2nd 2017
Melvin Heaps
Melvin Heaps, a 74-year-old man, has gone missing near Crystal Lake.
The Garrett Bardsley Foundation *may* be asked to help organize volunteers to assist Search and Rescue teams with the search effort.
Summit County is still evaluating the best way that we might be able to help.
If we are asked to help we will likely need experienced horse riders.
If you think you might be available to assist in that potential volunteer search effort please let us know by emailing us at volunteers@findgarrett.org If we are in fact asked to help we will update you ASAP.
Again: We are waiting for approval from the local jurisdictions before moving forward on the volunteer search.
If you have any other questions or would like to send a message to the Garrett Bardsley Foundation you may do so at: volunteers@findgarrett.org
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