‘Polar Plunge’ gearing up

FORT FRANCES—Given the local Voyageur Lions Club has seen more and more jumpers participating in its annual “Polar Plunge” each year, the group is hoping this New Year’s Day will bring the most successful event yet.
“We had a particularly good year last year,” event chairman Jim Martindale noted. “We had wonderful weather. We had a large contingent of jumpers, so we’re not shooting to have a lot more jumpers.”
With 56 people taking the icy dip last year, Martindale said the club would like to see at least 60 out this year.
“Normally I say we’ll try to get 15 to 20 more jumpers, but if we get four or five more jumpers than last year, we’ll be very happy,” he remarked.
He added with a few new groups set to participate this year, such as the Emo Spray Park, the club is striving to raise a total of $25,000 (last year’s “Polar Plunge” brought in just under $20,000).
“I know the Special Olympics are really doing a number,” Martindale said of another group that is actively seeking pledges. “The athletes are out there raising lots of money.”
The Special Olympics organization, which officially was adopted as one of the Voyageur Lions Club’s dedicated causes this fall, has Lion John Rafferty and Lorne Gill jumping on their behalf.
And local athletes have been setting up booths at local businesses around the community to garner plenty of pledges.
Aside from receiving a few phone calls, Martindale admitted it’s difficult to check in with each organization to see how many jumpers they will have out on New Year’s Day and how their pledges are coming.
“But we’re hoping to have the football team, the court sports teams, and the Aquanauts, who are all regular groups that jump,” he indicated. “And Bill Michl, Dale Gill, and myself will be jumping from our club.”
Participating groups receive half of the net proceeds raised by member jumpers.
He noted everything is set up at La Place Rendez-Vous since the “Polar Plunge” once again will take place near the dock there.
“We’ve done it seven times, so we’re getting to the point where it’s pretty well organized and we’re just flipping things into place and making sure that everything is done,” Martindale noted.
“We’re really happy with the way it’s become a Jan. 1 activity that people come out to,” he added. “We have 400 or 500 people watching. It makes for a really good event.”
Martindale is encouraging people who are not able to jump to lend their time instead to helping a group gather pledges and raise money through the “Polar Plunge.”
They club also would like to gain more interest in the event by having businesses and individuals challenge each other to jump—and hold a friendly competition to see who can collect the most money.
Those interested in jumping as individuals will raise funds for the Voyageur Lions Club.
There also will be a number of prizes up for grabs that day, including individual prizes, best costume prizes, and an incentive for the group that raises the most money.
“We’re looking for good weather again this year and we know we’ll have good ice now with the way [things] have cooled off,” Martindale said.
“And it’s not to late to register,” he stressed, noting some people have been known to pick up forms on New Year’s Eve, gather some pledges, and jump the following day.
Pledge sheets are available at the Edward Jones office on Scott Street and La Place Rendez-Vous.
For more information, contact Voyageur Lions Club president Bill Michl at 274-1329.
(Fort Frances Times)