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Community Corner

7th Annual 'Polar Plunge' Teams Announced

Icy cold waters of Sloper Pond home to annual event.

On Sat., January 21, several teams of brave folks will be taking the plunge into Sloper Pond and "Freezing for a Reason," as the Southington-Cheshire YMCA motto goes for the annual Polar Plunge event.

"We have has such generous donors and very brave plungers in the last six years, it has become kind of a tradition for us here in the Southington community," said Outdoor Center Director at YMCA Camp Sloper, Mark Pooler.

"The money goes to the YMCA Annual Strong Kids Campaign which provides camp scholarships for children in Southington to attend YMCA Camp Sloper over the summer," said Linda Roy, Outdoor Center Admiministrator. Roy said $18,000 was raised last year. "Each year we have been able to increase the amount raised because of the increase in the number of teams, and in the generosity of the donations to the plungers," she said.

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This year's brave dippers will include: Team Southington Police, led by Commissioner Steve Pestillo & Lieutenant Ed Pocock, Team Southington Fire Department, led by Fire Chief Buddy Clark, Team Board of Education, led by BOE Chair Brian Goralski & SHS Teacher Bob Lasbury, Team YMCA, led by Camp Director Mark Pooler & Executive Director John Myers, Team Southington Politicians, led by Former Town Councilor Mike Riccio, Team Calvanese Foundation, led by Foundation Member Lauren Forgione & Aqua Turf Staff Don Jenkins and new this year, Team Southington, to be led by Town Manager, Garry Brumback and which is open to all town employees and residents who want to take the plunge. 

"Every year we try to add a new team to the event to build off the success of last year and get more people involved" said Pooler and this year's Team Southington is the newest addition.

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"I am thrilled to be able to help such a worthy cause," said Town Manager Garry Brumback. "The idea of jumping into a hole in an icy pond is only being considered because of this great cause," he said. "Helping families in Southington send their kids for two weeks of summer camp at YMCA's Camp Sloper is worth a few minutes of being cold," said Brumback.

Interested in taking the plunge?  Go to the YMCA website to download the registration form today!

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