Record Turn Out For Polar Plunge
This year’s Polar Plunge had 147 men, women, and even a dog take the plunge into the 36 degree waters.
Members of the community gathered today for the fourth annual “Polar Plunge” located at Pied Eyed Petey’s on Lake Tippecanoe. The event benefitted food banks in North Webster and Syracuse by raising cash and non-perishable food item donations while featuring food, outdoor warming stations, and an organized run into the icy waters off the marina.
Owners of Pied Eyed Petey’s, Barb and Roy Haymer, were happily surprised by the record number of participants in this years event. A total of 147 men and women took the plunge into the 36 degree water this year, which marks the largest turn out of the event yet.
“I didn’t think anyone would really show up,” said Barb Haymer with a laugh. “Look at this thing – Its huge! This is our biggest year yet.”
Brett Nelson (left) and Mike Motes (right) of Chicago pose for the Polar Plunge audience in their costumes.
Many of this years participants arrived in costumes such as Pied Eyed Petey’s “T-Bags,” a flock of chickens, a jack-o-lantern man, and a doctor and patient. Not all who participated in the event were from within the community. Many of those who took the plunge hailed from neighboring states such as Mike Motes, Frank Stein, and Brett Nelson of Chicago.
The Lake City Roller Dolls were also among those who chose to take this year’s plunge. The team, who found out about the event less than a week ago, was able to raise $250 in cash donations as well as provide a truckload of food items for local food banks.
The Lake City Roller Dolls and Plunge participant Malu Santo take a group photo after their run into the water.
“We found out on Monday about the event when a member of the team saw a post on Stacey Page Online,” said Kristy Stiver, also known by her team as Breckyn-Ur-Neck. “We had 14 of us jump and raised $250 cash from Monday to today plus food donations – We’re all here trying to help out the community … and to freeze our butts off,” she said with a laugh.
The Kosciusko County Dive team as well as members of the North Webster Fire Department and EMS were asked to be present at the event to ensure the safety of all who participated. Don McCune of the dive team and Lester Mast of the fire department were fully suited in protective wet suits in case a plunge participant may need assistance in the water.
Malu Santo, a participant of this year’s Polar Plunge, charges into the freezing water unafraid.
Though many were rushing out of the frozen waters following their dip into the lake, Malu Santo, a local participant, took the plunge nearly six times, attempting to make and hold a record for the most times into the lake until she was asked to leave the waters by the Kosciusko County Dive Team.
“I’m competitive and I don’t like when people beat me,” said Santo. “I found out that some guy had done one (dive) above me so I kept going – I actually had to get stopped. I would definitely do this again.”
