January 5, 2015 at 5:11 p.m.
Over 100 take icy dip for a good cause at 15th annual Polar Bear Plunge
Over 100 take icy dip for a good cause at 15th annual Polar Bear Plunge
By Kayla Thomason-
Bonnie's Lakeside in Three Lakes hosted the event.
Vehicles were still filing in at a steady rate when the planned start time of 1 p.m. rolled around. With the parking lot full, the latecomers were directed toward the church where the Three Lakes Fire Department shuttled people back to Bonnie's.
"The turnout has been phenomenal, we still have people coming in," said Mike Wolf, Polar Bear Plunge founder and organizer. "We had to push the plunge off a half hour because we have so many people coming in."
A total of 101 people took the plunge this year, up from 86 last year. Of the 101, 77 plungers were first-timers. The highest number of plungers to date is 134.
The plunge raised $50,500, bringing the event's 15-year total to $383,631. The individual who raised the most money was Russ "Moses" Huizinga with $5,155 -- bringing his total to $28,003. Second was Mike Lambrecht who raised $3,865. Top-grossing teams were Discover Wisconsin with $3,000, Eagle River Roasters with $1,134 and Schoeneck Family with $1,085.
"The turnout is out of this world," Wolf said, adding that there were about 500 snowmobiles on the ice.
"I think (the turnout) is awesome, it's beyond believable, it's just amazing, it's great," added Lolly Rose, founder and executive director of Angel On My Shoulder, the charity that receives proceeds from the event. "We are beyond greatful for everybody's help."
Zack Lett, from Chicago, was in the area for five days, saw all the fliers up and decided to go for it.
"I think (the turnout is) looking pretty good, there's a lot of people," Lett said.
Spectators crammed shoulder-to-shoulder to watch the brave and generous people participate in the event. Some jumpers were dressed in costumes ranging from a burlap coffee bean sack to Santa and his penguin helper.
After plungers hauled themselves out of the frigid water they found comfort wrapped in a Polar Plunge towel as they ran to the hot tubs.
"Whoa, that was fun. It was exhilarating, a little bit of pain, but hey it's all worth it," said Bradley Brainard who was dressed in the burlap coffee bean sack.
He was one of five people from the Eagle River Roasters group to jump.
"Angel On My Shoulder is phenomenal, a great organization," Brainard said. "(I'm) just really looking forward to helping them out."
It was his first time participating in the Polar Plunge but he has done other winter jumps.
"It's usually pretty cold ... we've got 24 degrees out here we're doing good," Brainard said.
He plans to participate again next year.
Other first-time plungers such as Abbey Maillette were happy to be a part of the fundraiser.
"It's a great cause and I'm so happy to be a part of it, but it's cold," Maillette said.
She is the assistant to Mark and Lisa Rose who own Discover Wisconsin. She is also one of co-hosts of the Discover team.
"I help with the golf fundraiser that we do every year in June so I work closely with Angel On My Shoulder and I've seen the great efforts that Angel on My Shoulder can provide for other kids and their parents and caregivers," Maillette said.
Familiar faces who keep coming year after year to support Angel On My Shoulder happily participated.
This was Robert Rulec's 10th year taking the plunge.
"It's a great cause, it's worth going for it at least," Rulec said. "Jump, try it, it's worth a shot, do it once at least."
This was Michael Garcia's second time participating in the Polar Plunge. He makes the trip to northern Wisconsin just to plunge.
"I love it. It's a great organization. I love doing it, I'll keep doing it," Garcia said. "I come from Indiana just to do it every year."
Garcia's parents came up one year and told him about it. The next year he was jumping.
"It's a great, great thing to do and it's amazing," Garcia said. "Anyone who doesn't do it should do it."
Many people, not just organizers of the Polar Plunge, appreciated everyone's time and support of the event.
"I just really appreciate everybody coming out and I'm so excited to see that this keeps growing bigger and bigger every year," Maillette said.
It seemed as if all of Three Lakes rallied to make this event a success, from the chamber of commerce, to the Three Lakes High School students, who created awards in their Fab Lab, residents who came to volunteer, and the Three Lakes Fire Department which donated heated tents lined with tables and chairs.
Inside the tent people could find hot chocolate, beer, soda, water and places to sit.
"The town of Three Lakes Fire Department is unbelievable, the police station, unbelievable, just everybody volunteering," Wolf said. "Everybody has come together and has done a crazy job helping putting this thing together."
Rose thanked the organizers, plungers, Bonnie's Lakeside, supporters, and spectators for their help and support for the Polar Bear Plunge and Angel On My Shoulder.
"It's overwhelming," she said. "Everybody came out and gathered together and it's just great, working together to make this all happen."
Out of every dollar raised, $0.97 goes to Angel On My Shoulder. Last year, 89 people took the plunge and raised over $28,827.
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 children, get away from their troubles and connect with others who are going through the same thing. The camps are free.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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