Saturday morning dawned overcast and cold, with a few light flurries of snow — perfect swimming weather.
Rescue crews sawed a triangular opening in the ice on Lake Elmore, and people lined up to jump in the freezing water in Morrisville Rotary’s Lake Elmore Polar Splash.
Every year, the proceeds go to a different cause; this year, the $12,863 raised will benefit Morrisville Youth Soccer.
Most people went in in teams, with groups from Johnson State College, Community College of Vermont, Moog’s Place, Morrisville Rescue and the girls soccer team from Peoples Academy taking the plunge. A few brave souls decided to go it alone, including Olena Kuhfahl of Ukraine, who saw the plunge as a personal challenge that reminded her of home. In Ukraine, she said, every December, people jump into frigid water.
“Either you’re strong, or you’re not,” Kuhfahl said. “Either you can do it, or not.”
Kahtahl ran out onto the ice by herself and jumped in without a moment’s hesitation. When she got out, she said the water was “absolutely nice. It’s not cold. It’s just, like, water,” Kuhfahl said.
Other jumpers were more keen to raise funds for the youth soccer program.
“It’s a good cause,” Jay Knecht of Morrisville said. “It’s a small community event and it’s good to support the community.”
“I’m on the Morrisville Rotary,” said Brydon Beasant, who said he’s jumped for four years in a row. “So it’s like 20 percent shame, 80 percent guilt.”
The money will go toward the youth soccer program’s annual EuroTrip. This year, the girls team is heading for Spain, said Tom Stames, president of the organization.
“As always, the Morrisville Soccer Club sincerely appreciates all of those that help out our organization and allow us to have this annual trip,” Stames said.
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