Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
From left, Nina Roberto, from Superior; Alex Korpela and Austin Morton, of Ironwood; Jeff Schintz from St. Paul, dressed as the devil, took the plunge for their loved ones in hospice at the 11th Annual Polar Plunge for Regional Hospice on Sunday Lake on Saturday.
By ISABELLE KLEINSCHMIDT
Wakefield - Regional Hospice held its Annual Polar Plunge on Saturday afternoon in Wakefield. This is the 11th year of the event.
Sunday Lake was still covered in snow and an estimated 16 inches of ice, but that didn't deter participants from coming out and jumping into the opening in the ice. Over 40 people dressed in all sorts of costumes took the plunge to support the cause. "I like to come out and support a good cause" said jumper Samantha Leskoviansky.
In all, the event raised approximately $18,000 for regional hospice. All of the funds stay in the community to help hospice agencies in Iron and Gogebic County. "We've done this for a few years now, and it's a great way to raise money and awareness while having a good time," said volunteer coordinator Mary Oberto.
Tom DeCarlo has participated in the event every year. DeCarlo, who turned 91 the day before, has completed three ice jumping events this winter. "I'm just happy to help out," said DeCarlo "It's refreshing."
Before the event, the area search and rescue crew came out to practice life-saving techniques. Dressed in yellow rescue gear, the crew went over potential outcomes and protocols in the case of an emergency.
Many of the people who jumped did it in honor of a loved one in hospice care. "I jumped for my grandmas," said Nina Roberto, from Superior who jumped for her ninth year in a row this year.
After taking the plunge, participants went to the Wakefield VFW to warm-up. There they could get a bowl of chili, hot dogs, cupcakes, a beverage of their choosing and participate in the 50/50 raffle or win a prize.
