Warm sunrays encouraged swimmers to splash into the icy waters of Blue Marsh Lake on Dec. 2. A group of 25, ranging in age from 9 to 70, ran into the man-made lake in Bern Township as part of the Polar Plunge, an annual fundraiser for the HBA Restoring Hope Foundation (RHF).
“Are you plunging?” was the question greeting guests as they registered at a small table near the lake’s beach area. Participants were asked to bring a minimum pledge of $25 for the foundation, which restores the home of a worthy Berks County family each year.
This was the first time that Eric Soltysik of Reading took the plunge. Wearing a festive elf hat and with tropical swim trunks peeking from under his khaki shorts, Soltysik said he heard about the fundraiser through a co-worker.
“As soon as I heard about it, I wanted to do it,” he said. “I like helping people, I’m in a helping profession, and this seemed like a fun way to do that.”
Jackie Mitten, a foundation board member, helps organize the event each year and is a regular participant as well.
“Oh, yeah, this is my fifth year to do it,” she said, noting she had a good excuse for missing the first year as she was in labor.
Mitten noted that volunteers from the community, as well as pledges and donations from local friends and family, make the Polar Plunge a true community effort. She personally recruits people to plunge each year.
“It’s always freezing,” she confirmed, recalling that one year it was snowing for the event, “and literally, once I’m in the water I always turn around and think, ‘The car is all the way up there!'”
Volunteers took pledges and handed out neon Polar Plunge tees; participants enjoyed doughnuts and hot drinks donated by Wyomissing Family Restaurant. Members of the Dive and Rescue Recovery Team from Schuylkill 2 Hose company also waited, they volunteered their time and entered the water for the duration of the plunge to ensure safety for all.
“Mele Kalikimaka” and other classic holiday tunes drifted from speakers as the plungers made their way to the serene, silvery water. Just before the noon start time, some stripped down to bathing suits, others wore running clothes. A few were decked out in costumes: sports fanatics, a bumble bee and even a man in a tee-shirt “tuxedo.”
After a brief countdown, the plungers splashed into the water, shrieking and laughing. Most ran a few yards in, then sprinted back to shore.
Mohnton resident Michelle Stout, a first-time participant, dried off quickly before pulling on a fluffy pink robe once on shore.
“It was ice cold,” she confirmed, laughing, explaining that her future daughter-in-law had encouraged her to join the event this year.
A few brave souls submerged completely and splashed in the water for several minutes. All, however, were out of the water by 12:15, heading next to an “after party” of pizza and snacks at the Blue Marsh Canteen in Bernville.
In the end, the 25 participants raised about $4,200 in this year’s plunge. The funds raised, Mitten said, will be used for next year’s project.
“RHF is geared for middle class working families who have a special need or challenge,” added Board Chair Diane Salks. “Every year we accept applications through mid-February. The board then evaluates, site visits, meets the applicants and then chooses who the recipient will be for that year. It is not an easy task.”
This was the sixth year for the Polar Plunge, but the first year it was run independently by the Restoring Hope Foundation. The foundation was created after an Extreme Build in the county and originally benefited hurricane victims and Opportunity House. Since 2011, the foundation completed home restoration projects.
Salks and Mitten both said the foundation and its projects are team efforts.
“The [Home Builders Association] and its members help us as well as many professional non-members,” Salks explained. “We renovate a family’s home every year and we are able to do so through the generous donations of so many people and companies- about 95% is donated materials and labor.”
For information on the organization or to make a donation, visit hbarestoringhope.org. Information on applying to be a restoration project recipient is also available on the website.
