LETHBRIDGE – Citizens of Lethbridge shed their layers and took a plunge into Nicholas Sheran Lake Saturday in support of Special Olympic athletes.
The event is a major fundraiser for over three thousand athletes across the province who depend on the money all year long.
“I can’t say how much I enjoy it because I coach basketball and it gives us our tournaments, it gives us our uniforms, it gives us our equipment,” Organizer Braylon Hyggen said.
Linda McFalls, along with her teammates, jumped in support of her daughter Rachel who is a special Olympian bowler. Although, it was for a great cause, McFalls said it surely didn’t take away the chill of the water.
“It was incredibly cold! It was colder than I thought it was going to be.” McFalls said. “It’s a great event it’s really close to home because a lot of us have children with special needs.”
Others, like the tuxedo three team shared the same feelings about how it felt to support the athletes and had the same thoughts about the temperature.
Members of the Lethbridge Police Service, Animal Services, the Canadian Army, businesses and friends were among those to take the plunge. City of Lethbridge Councillors who dove in also have a challenge for the next city to host the polar plunge.
“On behalf of Blaine and myself from Lethbridge city council, we want to challenge Mayor Nenshi and Calgary city council for their polar bear plunge at the end of February up in Calgary,” Rob Miyashiro said.
“It only hurts for about a second and a half… and there’s a hot tub after!”
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