January 6, 2014 at 2:08 p.m.
Annual polar plunge draws a crowd
Annual polar plunge draws a crowd
By Kayla Thomason-
Proceeds from the plunge benefit the cancer charity Angel On My Shoulder.
The Polar Bear Plunge is always held the weekend after the new year and $0.97 of every dollar goes to Angel On My Shoulder.
"Hopefully [the turnout will be] good. I know the weather is a little questionable and challenging but we are very blessed the angels are with us today and this is the one day of all this time that they are predicting weather in the double digits and good plunging weather," said Lolly Rose, founder and executive director of Angel On My Shoulder.
Rose said Angel On My Shoulder is very grateful for the Polar Bear Plunge and everyone who helps out.
Many of the participants were nervous about jumping into the 34-degree water.
"We keep reminding [new jumper Maggie Taylor] that as cold as it is outside the water is warmer than the air," said Matt Reuss, a seven-year Polar Plunge veteran. "It was her first jump. (You have to) keep telling yourself the water is warmer than the air."
Participants were able to warm up in a hot tub after their jump. Paul Kondracsek, a 10-time Polar Bear Plunge veteran, was one of them.
"It wasn't a bad day for it today, not too cold, it wasn't too bad. Warmer than I thought and I don't know if it will be colder here or at the (Green Bay Packers) football game tomorrow," Kondracsek said.
Angel On My Shoulder is a non-profit cancer support foundation throughout Wisconsin. The organization operates three camps, Camp Angel, Camp Teen Angel and Adventure Angel, where children who have or had loved ones battling cancer can go to just be kids, get away from their troubles and connect with others who are going through the same thing. The camps are free.
"These kids come to camp, they are quiet, they don't say anything, they don't do anything and they are real shy and timid and by the time they leave you can't shut them up," said Polar Bear Plunge organizer Mike Wolf. "They have so many new friends. They had such a great time they don't want to leave and that's what it's about. It's about giving them their childhood back, if it's just for that weekend."
Door prizes raffled off during the Polar Bear Plunge included televisions, tablets, waffle irons, donated artwork, fishing gear and more.
This year's Polar Bear Plunge had 87 participants, 50 of whom were first-timers. Organizers said $28,827 was raised during this year's event. $333,421 has been raised since the event began 14 years ago.
The highest pledge total this year was $3,600 brought in by Russ "Moses" Huizinga. Huizinga has jumped every year the plunge has been held.
Guardian Angel Award recipients were Bill and Kathy Ell.
Winners for best costume were the Seven Dwarfs: Liz Barber, Matt Reuss, Jocelyn Smith, Maggie Taylor, and Haley, Megan and Patti Farrell.
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