The temperature was a balmy 28 degrees Saturday when men, women and students jumped into the icy waters at Twin Lakes for the annual scholarship fundraiser “Freezin' for a Reason.”
Chris Marez, 14, who will be attending Theodore Roosevelt High School next year, found out about the event at orientation and decided to try it.
“Everyone jumped in and they looked fine,” Marez said. “I thought it would be like that, but everything locked up. Everything went numb. I could barely breathe. It was hilarious.”
The Kent Fire Department, the Overlook Grill, The Fairways and Kent DECA sponsor the annual Polar Plunge, and all proceeds benefit the Don Beckett Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for the late Kent firefighter who died of cancer in 2011.
The icy event takes place at the Overlook Grill, 1519 Overlook Drive, at the Fairways at Twin Lakes in Franklin Township.
Jumpers changed into swim wear and gathered outside as supporters held towels, clothing and recorded the event.
Coordinator of the event and firefighter Brad McDougal was standing on the ice, instructing jumpers what to do when they hit the icy waters. As soon as heads surfaced, the shivering participants swam to the opposite side of the square cut in the ice and climbed out. They made a mad dash across the ice to the shore where they dressed as quickly as possible.
DECA coordinator Brent Pfeiffer said by 1 p.m., halfway through the event, 65 people had signed up to jump in the lake.
“It's one of the bigger groups for the event in the past five years,” Pfeiffer said. “I think some of the work in social media and the news articles helped spread the word.”
The event has gained a reputation and continues to grow in popularity, Pfeiffer said.
“In years past, students and firefighters participated, but more people from the local community are showing up,” Pfeiffer said.
Theodore Roosevelt High School had a change war with teachers Kiel Cox, Chris Hibbs, Pam Harr and Carol Bender, competing for the most change and the honor of jumping in.
English teacher Cox won with $97, Pfeiffer said.
“When I heard the news, I wouldn't say I was excited,” Cox said. “Did I win or lose?”
Cox said he would do it again.
“Once you get in, it's not as bad,” Cox said. “You go numb. The worst part is the anticipation.”
Another teacher, Terry Slattery, inspired his students Jacquelyn Shields and Drew Robinson to take the Polar Plunge.
“He's 53, and he said his dad died at that age,” Shields said. “So do it now or never. He inspired us to jump, and I'm excited. It's for a good cause.”
Some of the jumpers stayed in the water as long as possible. Greg Jeanblanc and Mike Lyndell braved the cold to set a record.
“We tried to see who would stay in the longest time,” Jeanblanc said.
For Ariel Wyatt, the Polar Plunge was just another challenge. She's done the Tough Mudder, which is an endurance race. It has an obstacle where participants jump into a dumpster filled with ice water, she said.
“I knew what I was getting into,” Wyatt said. “I enjoy doing these challenges.”
The Don Beckett Memorial Scholarship fund awards a $1,000 scholarship to each of two Theodore Roosevelt High School students interested in a career in public safety or related medical field. Donations can be sent to the Kent Firefighters Association all year long and designated for the scholarship fund.
Each sponsor has a role to play to make the Polar Plunge a safe and successful event.
The Kent Fire Department provides the crew to cut a hole in the ice and provides safeguard divers.
David Beck, owner of the Overlook and The Fairways at Twin Lakes, provides shelter for people to get warm along with food and games for the event.
DECA is an advanced level marketing and entrepreneurship program at Roosevelt, and the students help with the organization and promotion of the event.
Reporter Laura Freeman can be reached at 330-541-9434 or lfreeman@recordpub.com.