Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
About 16 people plunged into icy waters at Lake Annette on March 20, either solo or in pairs, for the Polar Plunge for Peace event to show support for Ukrainians.
Jared Smith got the idea for the Polar Plunge about three weeks ago after hearing that millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their country.
鈥淎s I was doing research, I found out it鈥檚 a common tradition for Orthodox Christians in Ukraine to do a polar dip, a traditional epiphany swim,鈥� Smith said.
鈥淭hey take a plunge into cold water three times. Every Jan. 19 is when they do theirs.鈥�
He started brainstorming, and with the help of Andrea Cadieux and Jana Tojnarova, the Polar Plunge for Peace started taking shape in mid-March.
鈥淲e created a Facebook event, and the #PolarPlungeForPeace, where to send funds,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淲e put up posters as well.鈥�
To bring more attention to the event, he plunged into the Athabasca River.
鈥淚 filmed it to show the idea of Polar Plunging for Peace,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t can be done anywhere; photograph yourself, or video it, and link it to #PolarPlungeForPeace, and share it with friends on social media.鈥�
The trio gathered goodies for the set up at a picnic site on the north side of the lake.
This included a change room鈥攊n the form of a tent鈥攄onated by Dunn Right Contracting, and food and drinks donated by Jasper Food Recovery, Tim Hortons and Pursuit.
Smith got a crackling fire going at the site as people streamed in with their gear including towels.
Supporters made their way to the two-by-1.5-meter hole that Smith had chopped open.
At a depth of 1.2 meters, it was a safe place to plunge into.
鈥淛ack Mobbs and Lada Kralova went in right away鈥攖hey were so calm, and that encouraged everyone to take the plunge,鈥� Smith said.
Soon, others stripped off their clothes too and lowered themselves into the freezing water to cheers from the Polar Plunge crowd.
Others who showed their support by plunging into Lake Annette included Kevin Balandan, Beth McLachlan, Kata Richterova, Denisa Mouckova, Marc Langlois, Laurie Lebrun, Mya Davis, Dustin Fleming, Hannah Rasmussen, Neil Hall and Devon Martin.
Proceeds from the event go directly to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation at www.cufoundation.ca
Even though that day is over, Smith said folks can donate funds to the foundation up to April 10.
鈥淲hat I鈥檓 encouraging people to do is put their own photos of themselves plunging into cold water on the #PolarPlungeForPeace (site),鈥� he said.
鈥淭he hole in the ice is still there鈥攊f anyone wants to do their own Plunge for Peace, Lake Annette is waiting.鈥�
As of March 21, Polar Plunge for Peace has raised $1,575.
