Community Corner

PHOTOS: 'Cheer Up Mission' Gives Ridgewood Teen Moment Of Levity

Michael Alters has dealt with a chronic disease since childhood, and the pandemic added additional hurdles. Then his classmates stepped in.

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The Ridgewood community came together in support of Michael Alters over the weekend. Mission accomplished.
The Ridgewood community came together in support of Michael Alters over the weekend. Mission accomplished. (Courtesy Randa Alters)

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — When the Ridgewood High School community set out on a "cheer up mission" they had no idea how much it would mean to their classmate, Michael Alters.

"I have been feeling down lately because of all the things that have been going on, but this brought me up," Alters told CBS New York, who first reported the story.

Alters has a chronic disease which he's dealt with for much of his young life. His health has declined since the start of the pandemic, and he's had a hard time as he's missed out on many of the things high school students recognize as milestones toward graduation.

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So when his classmates and other community members arrived outside his home Friday, it meant the world to him.

"Today was a special day for Michael, he had a great time; he was shocked by everything done for him," said his mom, Randa Alters, who shared scenes from the family's day in a video posted to Facebook.

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Watch that video below:

First responders from the community were part of a parade through Alters' neighborhood, and the high school's Maroon Men a cappella group performed. Many of his classmates, teachers and even the high school mascot were in attendance.

In addition to those who arrived at his home, a group of about 100 students participated in the filming of a video organized by the high school's Interact Club, according to Northjersey.com.

Randa Alters shared a collection of photos from Friday with Patch. Take a look below:

Michael, second from right, is greeted by his classmates. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
The community participated in the drive-by parade style "cheer up mission" over the weekend. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
Among those participating included Ridgewood first-responders. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
Ridgewood High's Maroon Men performed. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
Michael did some press. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
And Ridgewood's mascot showed some love. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
The cheer up mission was a success by all accounts. (Courtesy Randa Alter)
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