ROAMING SHORES — The weather was different but the atmosphere still festive as more than 25 people prepared to jump into the cold waters of Roaming Rock Lake.
Temperatures broke into the 50s Saturday afternoon as Roaming Shores Polar Bear plungers prepared to dash into the lake near the club house.
The tension mounted as participants prepared for their appointment with chilly destiny; then as quick as it started it was over with people dashing back up the beach for the warmth of their beach towels.
Chris Plickert is the president of the Roaming Shores Polar Bear Club and has coordinated the event for four years. He said Pymatuning Valley principal Jeff Meddock, who died last year, helped make the event a success, working behind the scenes for three years.
“Last year we raised $1,700 and I think we will exceed it,” Plickert said. He said he estimated this year’s total to be between $2,500 and $3,000 which will be given to three area charitable organizations.
Plickert said special athletes from Ashtabula County, the Jeff Meddock Scholarship Fund and the Brian Scribben Scholarship Fund will receive money raised during the event.
Half of the participants were from the Roaming Shores area and the rest came from other places.
“It’s kind of a family deal,” said Amanda Poyer, 17, of Hartsgrove Township. She said she really looks forward to the event and was actually disappointed the weather was so warm.
“It was much better last year when it was covered with ice. It was more of an adrenaline rush,” she said with a big laugh.
The Ashtabula County Water Rescue team made a day of it Saturday meeting at 11 a.m. to discuss the event and put plans together and then conducted training exercises later in the day, said Ed Koziol, chief of the Rome Township Fire Company.
The Circle K store in North Kingsville got behind the event and raised the most money at $475, Plickert said.
“I always do the law enforcement one, so I thought I would do this,” said Jessica Bush who works at the store.
“I beg,” she said of her requests for people to donate, “We hold the bathroom key hostage until they donate,” she said with a laugh.
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