Duane Hicks
Despite the bitter cold, this year’s “Polar Plunge” organized by the Voyageur Lions Club was a success once again.
In front of a crowd of spectators and supporters, some 71 brave souls jumped into Sand Bay behind La Place Rendez-Vous on New Year’s Day.
Altogether, jumpers raised $13,436.84—$8,728.42 of which will go to club projects, and $4,708 of which will go back to various participating groups.
The Muskie Sports Association raised $3,461.60, 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 Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Rev. Jacob Quast and his son, Liam, raised $351 while local MP John Rafferty raised $100 for Special Olympics.
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.
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), and Shari Humphrey ($157), the last of whom ended up not jumping but had a fellow named “Bob” plunge in her place.
Prizes for best costumes were given to the ‘AA’ Atoms (team), Hahkala (first place), MC Chartrand (second), and Rafferty (third).
