The 27th annual Polar Plunge was a chilly splash and successful day for everyone! Conestoga Students Inc. hosted this popular event on Thursday, February 21, 2008 featuring 36 plungers who competed for prizes based upon moneys raised, dive style and costume. The venue, the pond just outside of the Doon campus main cafeteria, had 12" thick ice and a water temperature of an even 0 degrees. Event organizer, Lindsay Silva, was thrilled with this year’s plunge that raised over $6,200 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “The water might have been freezing but the enthusiasm of the participants and the crowd made it a great day on campus for CSI” explained Silva. "The moneys raised for the charity brought it full circle - the community, the students and our college all benefited."
The Polar Plunge is made possible through the efforts of the student association in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well as the kind co-operation of the Conestoga College and the Physical Resources Department. The location of the pond and recent frigid temperatures assured a great place to see the participants dive right in. "Two years ago we had to use a kiddie pool because of warm temperatures" said Silva. "The pond was perfect and the students who jumped made it fun for everyone to watch and participate by donating too."
CSI president, Roxy Stanciu, was also excited about the possibilities afforded by the event. "e strive to be a good community support and partner so that important services, like the Heart and Stroke Foundation, can continue to help people"said Stanciu. "Our longstanding tradition with this event has seen a lot of money raised and people educated about the good work Heart and Stroke continues to do in our region."
This years event means a lot to many of the participants. One student has plunged five straight years in a row. His grandmother was in attendance this year to see him leap. A large crowd inside and outside cheered on the participants and a hot tub was made available to get them back up to temperature once they got out of the pond.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event. Hopefully by then teeth will have stopped chattering and even more people will take the plunge for a good cause!
