The city’s first “Polar Bear Plunge” was successful beyond anyone’s dreams.
Organizers had hoped the event, held to benefit Special Olympics Kansas, would bring in $5,000 for the charity. Instead, a total of 73 plungers found enough sponsors to bring in $11,560.19, which will stay in Emporia.
“There are a lot of daring people out there and it’s for a good cause,” Jana Fornelli said Saturday, shortly before the cannonballs and dives began. Fornelli is vice president of development for Special Olympics Kansas.
Emporia’s event was one of seven that were scheduled this year for Kansas, and one of five being held on Saturday. The plunge is an event that is part of the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run fundraising projects.
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, court services personnel and an assortment of townspeople took part in the plunge, which was held at Mouse Lake, near Ninth Avenue and Lakeside Street.
Scott Hayes of Emporia’s Radio Stations collected the most donations with $1,020. He plunged in wearing swim trunks and goggles. Some plungers dressed as flipper-shod penguins, lady bugs, a witch, “prisoners” in orange Lyon County jumpsuits, and a variety of other costumes.
The flipper-shod penguins — Lindy Whetzel and Merryl McRae — performed a cheer before plunging into the icy water, and received the “Most Enthusiastic Plunge” prize.
Jeff and Karen Cope and their daughter, Lydia Good, made what may have been the only family jump.
“We’re kind of reliving our youth again, and checking one off our to-do list in life,” Karen Cope said. “I have a wet suit, so I’m cheating a little.”
Jumpers had the ability to set up their own web sites through Special Olympics which helped their efforts to gain sponsors, and brought in some encouraging comments, as well as “ ‘you’re crazy’ feedback,” she said.
The air temperature was 22 degrees when registrants began checking in; the water temperature was 36 degrees.
Mark Shook of Waters Tru-Value donated himself and his company’s rental equipment to cut out a square area in the ice to accommodate several jumpers leaping in simultaneously. Shook and Jeff Cope set up the area by the dock with fabric runners so jumpers could dash to the tent to warm up and slip into something dry.
Hopkins Manufacturing Company supplied coffee and hot chocolate, and boxes of doughnuts and cinnamon rolls for participants and the public covered the registration table.
The Hoppy Team received the “Most Money Raised Team” award.
After the event, participants went to Carlos O’Kelley’s for food and an awards presentation ceremony.
“We were overwhelmed with the tremendous support for the first annual Emporia Polar Bear Plunge by the Emporia community,” Fornelli said later. “Not only were our expectations exceeded in the number of plungers, the funds raised by the businesses that supported the event, but also by the community members who came out to show their support.”
Other winners from the plunge were:
Jacque Wellnitz and Erin Rodriguez, wimpiest plunge; Brad Drewek, best costume, individual; and Alpha Sigma Alpha Ladybugs, best costume, team.