Polar Plunge raises funds for charity

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Bath, Mich. — With people milling about in pirate, lion and banana costumes, Hawk Hollow Golf Course, 15101 Chandler Road, looked like a Halloween party Sunday afternoon.

But for those hundreds in colorful garb braving below-freezing temperatures, there would be few treats when they jumped into a pool of lake water for the Lansing-area’s fifth annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge.

“It is completely shocking when you jump in and you’re immediately cold,” said Travis Wichert, 29, of Eaton Rapids, after plunging into the lake wearing a Hawaiian shirt, lei and flowers. “There is no waiting for it and there’s this shock that hits you like a wall of ice.”

The Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Michigan and raised about $63,000, drew 253 jumpers to Hawk Hollow for the annual event. Many jumpers dressed up in creative costumes, ranging from Spartan jerseys to ice cubes to the Statue of Liberty.

Each jumper shivered as they waited in line to take the plunge, while temperatures dipped into the teens and wind intermittently whipped over the water.

“It was more unbearable waiting out in the cold weather than jumping,” said Dave Allen, a pre-law senior who made the jump in street clothes. “But then when I dropped, my heart just sunk.”

The Plunge is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Michigan, which hosted 16 other plunges throughout the state.

“When we started, we had 25 plungers and we made $7,000. So that we’re at 300 plungers and $50,000 has just been remarkable,” Area Director Anne Goudie said.

The bravest of male jumpers went shirtless, while others thought ahead by removing clothing to keep water from soaking in. Special education senior Natalie Barranca donned a T-shirt and shorts for the plunge, which almost didn’t happen.

“I had to tell myself that I had to do it, because otherwise I probably would have walked back off,” Barranca said. “Your feet are wet and you can feel the water and you know how cold it’s going to be.”

The annual event moved this year from Hawk Island County Park, 1601 E. Cavanaugh Road, in Lansing, to Hawk Hollow, which was better equipped for accommodating the growing crowd.

Donations will go to the area’s half-million dollar budget, which supports more than 2,000 athletes in 21 sports, Goudie said.

It will help with training, uniforms and equipment,” she said. “We’re coming up on our State Summer Games.”

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