Duane Hicks
Fundraising
effort tops
$13,000
The temperature was low but spirits were high at the Voyageur Lions Club’s 11th-annual “Polar Plunge,” which drew a record number of jumpers on New Year’s Day.
Dressed in swimsuits, sports uniforms, and as fictional characters, some 71 brave souls jumped into Sand Bay behind La Place Rendez-Vous.
“I thought things went very well,” said Voyageur Lions president Joyce Zub. “There was a lot of enthusiasm once things got going.
“And, of course, the fact we had more jumpers than we’ve ever had before was quite surprising considering the storm and everything,” she chuckled.
“I was very pleased.”
Zub said she also was impressed by the many spectators who attended the event, either watching it from the dock or from the warmth of La Place Rendez-Vous, where they could hear the event play-by-play thanks to emcee Val Martindale and the services of the Sound Man, Brian Harris.
“The people inside were hooting and hollering. It was really great,” Zub enthused.
Altogether, jumpers raised $13,436.84—$8,728.42 of which will go to Voyageur Lions’ projects for local youth and $4,708 of which will go back to the various participating groups.
Some of the jumpers were new while others had done it for every year since its inception.
Rev. Jacob Quast of the Church of the Lutheran Hour, who jumped for Canadian Lutheran World Relief with his son, Liam, braved the icy waters for a third-straight year.
“I just think it’s a wonderful cause for me and my family,” he said, adding his daughter, Julia, jumped with the St. Mary’s “Edge” youth group.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to give back to the community in which we live, and to help out some worthy causes,” noted Rev. Quast.
“It’s such an easy thing to do, really.
“It takes some time collecting funds and everything, but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in the community and socialize around some worthy causes.”
Now with a few “plunges” under his belt, Rev. Quast gave some advice to those who might consider doing it next year.
“You just gotta go. You’ve got to take that step and jump off the edge,” he remarked.
“But I’ve got to tell you this year was not as bad as last year was. I thought last year was much colder than this year was,” he added.
“I don’t know if the wind wasn’t as strong.
“I remember last year was minus-26 without the wind chill, so that makes quite a difference.
“My son even said, ‘That wasn’t bad at all,’” chuckled Rev. Quast. “I think sometimes it’s worse for the spectators who have to stay out there the whole time.”
Rev. Quast and his son ended up raising $351, half of which goes to their chosen charity and half to the Voyageur Lions.
The Muskie Sports Association raised $3,461.60 in all, with jumpers comprised of students from different teams.
They also garnered the $300 prize for being the top fundraiser.
Senior girls’ volleyball players Rebecca Armit, Chantal Jodoin, Jilayne Derksen, Chelsea Hill, Emily Drouin, and Erika Moffitt raised $814.60.
Junior girls’ volleyball players Meghan Metke, Keria Lindgren, Sarah Bagacki, Celia Berry Emily Hyatt, Sarah Glover, Shelby Holden, and Alanna Walsh raised $891 in all.
Senior boys’ basketball team members Chris Legg, Will Anderson, Justin Anderson, and Caleb McIntosh raised $465 while senior girls’ basketball player Jen McDowall jumped for $34.
Muskie badminton player Samantha Stahn brought in $200 while Muskie cheerleaders Kelly Dyke, Elizabeth Steele, Avery Busch, Kristina Robertson, Dom Frenette, Meghan Spooner, Sidney Ward, and Chanelle Matthews raised $995.
Meanwhile, Dancemakers raised $1,695, with Kimika Alexander, Megan Veniot, Jayde Wright, Talyssa Kellar, Marina Jewell, Hailey Wirtz, Gabi Peters, Stephanie Lizotte, and Danielle Hammond all taking the icy plunge.
The Muskie girls’ hockey team was right behind at $1,620 thanks to Katie Sinclair, Shelby Rea, Jillian Langtry, Melanie Scott, Dana Cridland, and Sarah Milling braving the waters.
Raising money for a high school art trip, FFHS teacher Owen Johnston and students Jolene Stahn, Reece Brown, Chanelle Matthews, and Julia Bragg raised $751.
The St. Mary’s “Edge” youth group, represented by Andrew Roth, Libby Paleczney, Thomas LePine, Nicole LePine, and Julia Quast, raised $533.24.
The Atom ‘AA’ Snipers of the Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association jumped in support of the local “KidSport” program.
Snipers’ players taking part included Eric Pitkanen, Matthew Booth, Jace Jackson, Davis Jackson, Ethan-Carlson Jourdain, and Jon Busch, who raised $520 in all.
Maureen Hahkala, dressed as the “Cat in the Hat,” raised $385 for the Rainy River District Festival for the Performing Arts.
Jumping for Special Olympics, local MP John Rafferty raised $100.
In related news, the Voyageur Lions Club and Emo and District Lions Club had a fundraising challenge between the two, with the former coming out on top.
While Kent Ogden and Dennis Ogilvie plunged for the Emo and District Lions Club and raised $948, Jim Martindale, Dale Gill, and Bill Michl combined to raise $2,670 for the Voyageur Lions.
The Emo and District Lions Club will be buying the Voyageur Lions dinner. Both of the clubs are looking for new members.
Meawhile, several people not affiliated with any group paid to jump on New Year’s Day, including Brittany York and Sarah Pruys ($105), MC Chartrand ($140), who was dressed as Spider-Man, and Shari Humphrey ($157), the last of whom ended up not jumping but had a fellow named “Bob” plunge in her place.
And a last-minute jumper who showed up was Monica Garvie.
Prizes for best costumes were given to the ‘AA’ Atoms (team), Hahkala (first place), MC Chartrand (second), and Rafferty (third).
Members of the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service and ambulance service were on hand Saturday in case of emergency.
The first “Polar Plunge” here was held in 2001. Last year, it drew about 40 jumpers.
