Braving it

WASILLA — The annual Mat-Su Polar Plunge saw record numbers of donations this year, just shy of $20,000.

This reporter’s alter ego, the ‘Frontiers Mann’ joined 82 other plungers to raise money for Mat-Su Sertoma’s scholarship program and numerous other services centered on hearing health in the community. I walked away from the event, dripping wet and better informed on tips for next year and the many ways Sertoma helps my community.

“Don’t overthink it,” said first time jumper, Keith Santerre. “Don’t listen to everybody who tells you how bad it is.”

I was among some fellow first-time jumpers and some seasoned veterans on Saturday. After getting my breath taken away and recovering in the hot tub, I found out the jump wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. Keith got “roped into the jump” because his wife, Gretchen is the Mat-Su Sertoma’s acting president. This was his first jump, as well. He said it was “exhilarating more than anything else.”

Keith was decked out, head-to-toe as Bat-Man. He dove into the water with the enthusiasm of an Olympic diver. Many go for cannonballs or bellyflops, but Keith said that by diving, you end up closer to the ladder, thus spending less time in the water, “plus it would look cooler when I was jumping.”

“I didn’t get cold until I started to walk to the hot tub,” Keith said.

I didn’t feel very cool after quickly getting out of the water. Temperature-wise, yes, but I was gasping like a beached whale. It really wasn’t that bad — honestly. That precious hot tub made everything better, a feeling I shared with many jumpers that day.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought!” said first time jumper, Edie Grunwald who jumped in memory of her son, David.

This event marked Jerry Famolari’s 10th jump in a row. He also said the key to a good plunge is to jump as far as you can so you can get to the ladder quicker. I fell into the lake — it was more of a fall than anything — but Famolari looked far more heroic with his Power Ranger suit, soaring like a bright red eagle into the frigid water.

“l like to show kids a true hero they can look up to when they grow up,” Famolari said.

I was happy that I made my $200 goal before I hit the water. Keith said he raised $750 and plans to raise $1,000 next year. He aims to start earlier with his pledge campaign and will utilize more social media.

I will definitely return next year. I learned from Keith and my own experience that yes, starting earlier and blasting social media will surely help raise more money.

Gretchen said they have been invited to come back to Everett’s next year. The restaurant apparently had a record day of sales.

“They sold out of food! It was great!” Gretchen said.

One of Everett’s serving staff, Mariah (she wanted her last name left out) is deaf in one ear. She’s had trouble with her hearing aid for a long time. Once Gretchen and her fellow Sertoma volunteers caught wind of this on Saturday, they jumped right into action. They are now supplying Mariah with a custom fit hearing aid and treatment at no cost to her. She had her first appointment on Monday.

“That’s how fast we are,” Gretchen said. ““That is why I’m a Sertomian. I heard that girl’s story and said ‘I can fix that.’ ”

Gretchen is one of the original members of Mat-Su Sertoma. Sertoma is a nationwide service club dedicated to the hearing health of its corresponding communities. The folks at Mat-Su Sertoma offer a range of services like free hearing clinics and annual grants and scholarships for the hearing impaired or those interested in pursuing a career in hearing health. One high school student, Noah White, won a scholarship to go to a Sertoma certified camp in Colorado this summer. The camp is catered for hearing-impaired campers to have a full-fledged camping experience and learn valuable skills in the wilderness.

“We want our kids in Alaska to experience what the hearing impaired culture is,” Gretchen said.

This is her first year as president and she is on call. She said anyone looking for more information about Mat-Su Seroma, to make donations or schedule an appointment for the hearing clinic can call her anytime at 907-982-7422. People can still make online donations by visiting www.matsuhearing.org, clicking on “Make a Pledge!” and picking any of the plungers to donate.

The Frontiers Mann will return next year. He plans to raise double the amount of money for Mat-Su Sertoma. He was happy to represent his hometown paper while helping out his hometown. Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter, Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com