Lakefield Herald Special Report

Polar Plungers set for next Sunday’s challenge

by Anita Locke

Five-year-old Ben Archer is a pretty special little fellow. The son of Paul and Elaine of Lakefield, Ben has Down Syndrome.

Paul is one of scores of brave souls who will be “Freezin’ for a Reason” raising money for their favorite charities and supporting Rotary’s many charitable endeavors at next weekend’s Polar Plunge.

In Paul’s case, that’s the Down Syndrome Association of Peterborough (DSAP), a non-profit charitable organization which supports families and persons with Down syndrome.

Paul is jumping because, “I have grown to appreciate the physical changes that help my family. Youth for Christ built the wheelchair ramp, Five Counties provides the foot orthotics and speech help, and Community Living can loan items. The Down Syndrome Association does great things to build community.”

He adds, “I jump because I can, and it’s going to be fun. Helping Ben takes so much of our energy and time, and jumping in the water is an easy way of getting to recognize the help that others can bring to our family.”

If you are interested in sponsoring Paul’s icy dip into Chemong Lake at Polar Plunge, you can call him at 652-0049.

Rotary Clubs in the Peterborough area have come forward with challenges to each other attempting to win the “most funds raised” prize.

Tony Davidson, President of Bridgenorth-Ennismore-Lakefield (B.E.L.) Rotary Club appeared at both the Peterborough-Kawartha and the Peterborough Rotary Clubs to issue the challenge. Brian O’Toole, President of Kawartha Rotary took the challenge if his club could raise $5000. They did so on the spot. District Governor Tom Bennett, rising to the occasion, said if the District raised $3000, he would take the icy plunge along with his wife, Grace, and Assistant DG Sue Davidson.

Not to be outdone, the Peterborough Rotary Club President Paul Hartung responded that he would jump if his club raised $5001. Club members are working hard to meet this goal.

So now B.E.L. Rotary’s President Tony will have the dubious honor of jumping twice. He’s planning to do the double whammy, once representing his Rotary Club which is attempting to match the other area Rotary Clubs’ fund raising and another as part of a team from his work. A brave soul!

The organizing coordinators, Spence Tucker and Tom McCutcheon, have been checking the ice weekly. Tom is happy to report that “there is 14 inches of solid ice at Rotary Park, Ennismore, and Mother Nature is currently making ice every night”.

News about this event has traveled far and wide. Tom has even gotten an inquiry from as far away as Minnesota, USA and folks are arriving from Texas later in the month to witness the event.

If anyone wishes to participate in the Polar Plunge on Sunday, February 1 at 2 p.m. sharp, pledge forms and rules are available at www.belrotary.com or by calling Tom McCutcheon at 292-1075 or e-mail: ifish2@persona.ca

Return to The Herald Home Page