A New York family is so desperate to keep their 13-foot snowman alive that they're appealing for donations - or "snownations" - from across the country.
A New York family is so desperate to keep their 13-foot snowman alive that they're appealing for donations - or "snownations" - from across the country.
And so far, they've been in luck. One donation came from Vermont and arrived at the family's Long Island home in ice packs, the snowman's builder, Mike Fregoe, told INSIDE EDITION.
"But we need more of it!" he said.
Read: Frozen in Time: 7 of the Worst Blizzards To Ever Hit America
This is the second year that Fregoe, his wife Lisa, and their two daughters, 11-year-old Julia and 16-year-old Rebecca, are trying to prevent their snowman from melting.
Last year's snowman lasted until April 20 and reached a height of 10.5 feet. As it held on, the family noticed how the community loved it.
"I was really happy with how much happiness and joy it brings," he said. "It makes everyone happy. Little kids and their grandparents - they all stop to take photos."
When the snowman started melting last year, his daughters were so desperate to keep the snowman that Fregoe took a ball of snow - a "snow seed" - and put it in the freezer.
When snow fell this January, that snow seed was included in the new snowman, which took four or five days to complete, Fregoe said.
"So he does live on, physically and spiritually," he said.
This year's snowman, simply named "Snowman," is even taller than last year's. At one point earlier this year, it stood at 14.6 feet, and now Fregoe is hoping for another blizzard to beat last year's record.
Read: Elderly Man Gets Ticket For Driving Car That Was Nearly Completely Covered in Snow
"A blizzard goes a long way. But it's a lot of work, so after April 20, we'll take it day by day," said Fregoe, who is about to dress the snowman in green clothing for St. Patrick's Day.
He is now asking anyone who can donate snow, or who knows where the family can find some, to contact them via their Facebook page. He said he loves how many people have taken an interest in their story so far, but said the reason why it has struck a chord is "simple."
"A snowman reminds you of childhood," he said. "It makes people happy, and who doesn't want to be happy?"
Watch: Polar Bear Sees Snow For the First Time
