WOODSTOCK — Ever have the inkling to participate in a polar plunge but didn’t want to travel far to do so?
The Ottauquechee Health Foundation is hosting its first polar plunge fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Kedron Pond at the Kedron Valley Inn in South Woodstock.
“We wanted to do something different and unique,” said Tayo Kirchhof, executive director of the Ottauquechee Health Foundation. “There aren’t any polar plunges in the immediate proximity that other organizations do.”
Participants are asked to contribute a minimum of $10 and are encouraged to form teams of five. The pond can accommodate about 60 plungers. Spectators can attend for $5. The event, which includes food, live music and a fire pit, is from 1-4 p.m. The plunge itself takes place at 1:30 p.m. Awards will be given out for best costume, best jump and best team spirit. The top three fundraisers also will be recognized.
“The plungers will line up on the beach and a horn will go off,” Kirchhof said. “Everyone runs in and back out again.”
While many polar plunges are held in the winter, Kirchhof said the nonprofit wanted to try something a little different.
“We don’t want to be too extreme. We were playing it safe a little bit by having it in November. It’ll just be cold enough,” she said, adding that the event will be held rain or shine or snow.
The polar plunge is another way the health foundation is trying to raise awareness and fundraise. One of the organization’s major roles is providing funding to individuals and families who are “kind of that area between the uninsured and the underinsured” who couldn’t otherwise afford care, Kirchhof said. “Right now, one of our largest areas of need is dental. The dental grants are a huge request for us, though we’ve seen a large increase in other programs such as mental health.
“Every single year we see those needs increase,” she said. “The idea of introducing events into our yearly fundraising schedule is a way to help us supplement those increases that we’re seeing.”
Editor’s note: For more information or to register for the Polar Plunge, visit ohfvt.org. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
