Family Seeks Donations To Help Giant Snowman Last Until Spring

MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (AP/CBS Detroit) - A suburban New York family is seeking snow donations to help its 14-foot snowman last until spring — and some cold weather would help, too.

Newsday reports that members of the Fregoe family of Massapequa Park wrapped their indomitable snowman tightly in plastic before heavy rain hit Monday. Then 51-year-old Mike Fregoe climbed a ladder and planted a beach umbrella on its head.

Fregoe says the snowman survived the rain but is looking "a little thinner."

The Fregoes crowdsourced their snowman last year by soliciting contributions of snow through Facebook. Fregoe says donated snow helped keep the snowman standing until April 20.

The family plans to rely on snow donations this year as well.

"We are pleased to say Snowman has his rain gear off and is enjoying a nice cool day. Snowman lost a few pounds and needed a little face lift this morning, but the Save the Snowman Team found a sled full of snow in the neighbor's yard and spruced up Snowman a bit," Fregoe wrote in a Facebook update posted Wednesday. "Snowman is still over 13 feet tall (measured this morning). Please bring a clean snow to us! We need as much as you can bring! Snowman is looking forward to donning his St Patrick's day attire soon! Thanks all!"

The response on social media, for the most part, seems supportive.

"You got this Mr. Snowman, you are one tough cookie," Zuly Calderon commented.

Margaret Thompson wrote,:"Is he trying to get in the guinness world record book???? I think he should try."

Fregoe says so many people enjoy the snowman that "it makes it worthwhile."

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