JACKSON TWP. − Hundreds of participants took the plunge into frigid Lake Cable waters Feb. 21 after the annual Polar Bear Plunge benefiting Jackson Local Schools was delayed two weeks due to extreme cold.
The annual fundraiser is organized by the Jackson Local Schools Foundation to raise money for the school district and participating nonprofits.
Organizers called off the original Feb. 7 date because of dangerously cold temperatures. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures that day were an average of 7 degrees.
Temperatures for the rescheduled date of the plunge were more promising, with a high near 43 degrees.
Rob Molnar, president of the Jackson Local Schools Foundation, said the water was still icy cold.
“They had to break the ice, so it’s definitely below freezing,” he said. “Very cold. Those that have jumped said ‘it doesn’t get any easier every year.'”
About 350 jumpers took the plunge Feb. 21. Molnar estimated the event raised about $25,000. He said the date change impacted the number of participants. More than 500 people participated in the event last year.
“(Delaying the event) was the right choice due to the weather. Regardless, our numbers have been impacted in terms of jumpers and teams,” Molnar said. “But we’re still happy to support Jackson Local Schools and the partner charities that we support.”
Prior to this year, the polar plunge has raised over $400,000 with over $230,000 going to Jackson Local Schools. In the past, funds have gone towards purchasing books and curriculums and even funded a robotics program.
Jumpers brave cold Lake Cable waters to support Jackson Schools and charities
Jackson High School students Brynlee Lasley and Kendall Gleason took the plunge together to support Jackson School for the Arts.
“I just dove in,” Lasley, 15, said. “Now it feels numb.”
Gleason, 15, said it is rewarding to raise money to support senior capstone projects and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to support childhood cancer research.
“Raising money is fun,” she said. “It’s good to support our school and everything.”
Adam Tomlinson, 47, made a big splash with his plunge.
“It was great,” he said. “Refreshing.”
“It was commit or don’t do it,” Dan Barker, 45, another jumper in his group, said.
The two jumped in support of the Jackson Local Schools Foundation.
Shortly after, Tomlinson took a second jump into the lake.
“The second time was worse,” he said.
North Canton Rotary holds 30th annual Chili Open
Another winter event was underway Feb. 21 at Arrowhead Golf Club in North Canton.
The Chili Open, complete with winter golfing and a chili cook-off, is North Canton Rotary’s largest fundraiser of the year. It supports scholarships and philanthropy in the community.
It was North Canton Rotary’s 30th annual Chili Open and the second annual chili cook-off between local rotary clubs.
This year, there were two prizes: a judges award and a popular vote for best chili.
Chefs from Rotary clubs in North Canton, Jackson, Plain, Canton South, East Canton, Louisville and an additional anonymous chef entered chilis in the competition this year.
Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@usatodayco.com Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Hundreds plunge into icy Lake Cable for Jackson Schools and charities
Reporting by Grace Springer, Canton Repository / The Repository
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
