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Freezin’ for a reason
Entering the icy water were those wearing
everything from bathing suits to ballerina outfits.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Video
CORTLAND — “Once the adrenalin gets started, it didn’t feel cold, but when you get out — brrr.”
That was how Bryon Mulligan of Leavittsburg described the feeling of spending a minute or two in cold Mosquito Lake wearing little more than a bathing suit.
Mulligan’s chilly endeavor, however, left him feeling “warm and fuzzy” afterward because his plunge into the icy water was driven by a desire to raise money for the Columbus-based Special Olympics Ohio organization.
That was also the motivation for Rick Brothers’ decision to don a bathing suit and a cap similar to that worn by the cartoon character Elmer Fudd and take a dip. For Brothers, of Warren, his participation in the second annual Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday was personal.
“Doing this is nothing compared to what those in Special Olympics went through,” said Brothers, adding that he has a friend in Howland with special needs.
After hearing about the event at Mosquito Lake State Park, off state Route 305, Claude Morgan never wavered in his desire to participate. The Austintown man, standing and dripping wet near a space heater and wearing a Hawaiian shirt and bathing suit, said he wanted to help partly because he knows a few youngsters with various challenges.
Helping those in Special Olympics also was the main reason taking the plunge was on Carolyn Minke-Smith’s to-do list. The Bristolville woman said she’s always wanted to be part of such an event.
Several dozen people jogged from one end of a rectangular hole in the ice to the other in water up to 3 feet deep. Bikinis, a ballerina costume, a Santa Claus outfit and clothing more reminiscent of Hawaii made up a large portion of participants’ attire.
Preceding the plunge was a 30-minute costume contest in which about six people took part. Minke-Smith, a member of a local chapter of the Red Hat Society, dressed in the customary purple and red.
Participants paid $75 to be in the event and were able to make a donation in any amount. The benefit, as well as related fundraisers, brought in about $12,500 that will go toward helping adults and children with a variety of intellectual disabilities, noted Paige Ludwig, director of development for Special Olympics Ohio and an event organizer.
The state Special Olympics organization has about 21,000 registered athletes, roughly 700 of whom are from the Mahoning Valley, Ludwig estimated.
Saturday’s plunge is the first of eight that will take place around the state through March 8 to raise funds for Special Olympics, she said.