Polar Plungers to take winter dip in Lake Lucille

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- Roughly 20 brave souls are set to plunge into the icy waters of Lake Lucille on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 11. The volunteers will sacrifice their warm bodies to the frigid lake as part of Polar Plunge, a fundraising campaign for Special Olympics athletes in the Valley.

Marty Metiva, Valley director for Special Olympics, said he plans to break ice near the Lake Lucille Inn docks so plungers can go in as deep as they please.

"If you only want to go up to you knees then you only go up to knees or if you just want to put a toe in then you can do that," Metiva said.

There may be a little pressure on the plungers, however, due to the fact that some pledgers want to see their plungers float. The goal is to raise between three and five thousand dollars to help buy uniforms and equipment for 150 Valley athletes, who travel statewide for competitions.

"This is how we survive and get kids to practices," Metiva said. "The money is all raised by us and the parents and guardians of the athletes and they deserve credit."

Metiva said a fire engine will be on hand as well as members of the Mat-Su Dive and Rescue Team. Refreshments, including hot coca, cider, tea and coffee will be available for spectators and participants alike.

As of Wednesday, Metiva was still trying to finalize getting a hot-tub out to the lake for participants to warm in after their dip.

At least one big name plunger, Wasilla Mayor Dianne Keller, has agreed to brave the winter water. During the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce meeting, Keller challenged other Valley mayors to step up to the plate. Each plunger raises pledges for Special Olympics, from the community, before taking the leap.

Metiva, who works as director of sales and marketing for Lake Lucille Inn, said the goal is to raise between $3,000 and $5,000. He said this is the first time, to his knowledge, that Valley Special Olympics has utilized Polar Plunge as a fundraiser. Typically the major fundraiser is the summer Torch Run but Metiva said they didn't make much on that last year and he began thinking of other events.

"I was thinking," he said, "and I looked out at the lake one day and thought, hey we'll do a polar plunge."

Metiva brought his idea to the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce.

"I challenged the chamber and then jumped right on it," he said. "The whole community embraced it."

Metiva, who just recently moved to Alaska from Michigan with his wife, took the Special Olympics position after answering an advertisement. He said next year he wants the Polar Plunge to be even bigger.

"This is just the beginning. Next year it will be more festive with more events," he said. "We want it to be more of a carnival atmosphere."

As for this year, the first plungers head for the water around 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11. Metiva is still taking volunteers and anyone interested in testing the water can reach him by phone at 373-1776 or 373-6874. After the events, Hobo Jim will give a free concert at the Lake Lucille Inn, later that night.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.