On May 26, 2006, Areilla and Shelila Simmons entered the Muskegon River to help a friend who was having difficulty swimming. Shortly after 7 p.m., the two sisters disappeared from sight, swept away by the river’s swift current. Emergency personnel from Big Rapids and the surrounding area scoured the river for the next four days until the girls were found.

Gary and Char Fitch never met Areilla and Shelila. Over the past two years the two have spent their days tirelessly making sure no one will forget the girls or the tragedy of their drownings.

Most of the couple’s days are filled with meetings and phone calls regarding the Muskegon River Water Safety Project (MRWSP), which they co-chair. Their thick binders are filled with messages, with call back numbers and other notes that they’ve kept since they started the project a year ago.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Doris Winburn, mother of Areilla and Shelila. “They (Gary and Char) worked all their lives and now they have picked up a new full-time job and the many others who have worked extra hours to help with the project. It means so much to our family.”

Retired, the Fitchs used to spend their time working around their Big Rapids home and the 80 acres that surround it. Gary also is a member of the Mecosta County Sheriff Posse, a group which provides support when needed by local police, fire and emergency agencies.

Gary found himself at Hemlock Park that Friday night in 2006, after the posse was called to assist during the search for the sisters.

As the search continued into the next day and the day after, Gary found himself at a breaking point.

“The rescue and recovery really got me thinking, not only of what was going on at the time, but also of all the drownings that we’ve had previously over the years,” he said.

Throughout the four days, Gary also spent time comforting the family. Gary felt convinced the couple needed to do something so people would know the dangers of the river. Char agreed.

Several local officials and community members also joined the Fitchs in trying to spread the safety message. Days after the memorial service for the Simmons girls, the Fitchs found themselves driving to Grand Haven.

“That city had just gone through a lot with drownings, and we knew they had done a lot of work on the pier,” Gary said. “We took multiple photographs of everything we could to see how we could apply those things here in Big Rapids.”

The Fitchs and several local officials and community leaders made up the committee.

Initially, the river safety project committee began the project with the idea of just setting up two signs, one at Hemlock Park and one behind Big Rapids Middle School, where the girls entered the river. They wanted to complete the project before the Fourth of July, 2007.

Following the posting of the temporary signs, phone calls led to an idea of a river safety DVD ... and then call boxes ... and life jackets. To accomplish these goals, the Fitchs contributed a large amount of their savings to help with the production of the water safety DVD.

“It really began to snowball,” Char said. “Little did we realize it would fan out to be so huge and have so many individuals and organizations come on board to help. We certainly wouldn’t have made it this far without any of them.”

Last summer the MRWSP hosted a celebration dedication at the Bandshell, where they talked about the success of the project and highlighted the  work still needed to complete the project as soon as possible. The couple watched with pride as the safety signs for Hemlock Park and behind Big Rapids Middle School were posted.

The event also was an emotional day for Doris and her family as they returned to Big Rapids. The family moved in December 2006. “A lot of people didn’t know me then, but they helped our family,” she said as she started to cry. “... and the love poured out for us.”

At the time of the drownings, Winburn said she felt as though she was asleep spiritually, but now finds some solace in knowing her daughters are in heaven.

“I feel that when they left, it was a challenge for me to be who I was and remember who they were,” she said. “They weren’t afraid to go into that water and lay their life down for a friend. They are truly heroes.”

Winburn says through all the storms in her life, she tried to do what was best for her kids. Until the tragedy, Winburn was unaware of the danger the fast-moving water of the Muskegon River posed.

“Had there been a sign that told us the river was dangerous, I wouldn’t have let them go,” she said. “I can’t change what has happened, but what helps is the love that has surrounded us since then, from Gary and Char and even the many strangers and organizations like the Mecosta County Community Foundation.

“It’s hard to really to explain the amount of love and support we have received.”