My first Plunge! I was encouraged to participate in the Highland Lake Penguin Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics by friends attending the Association’s Snow Ball Dinner/Dance. With less than a week to raise money and with very generous donations given to me on the spot (although no one offered to join me in the lake!), I got excited! I was happy to participate in an event to raise money for the Special Olympics. In addition, the event was being held at one of my favorite places – Highland Lake – where I spent many childhood summers with my grandfather and other family and friends, and where I continue to spend time with my parents, friends and neighbors. I mean, what was the big deal – you jump in the lake, run out and quickly wrap yourself in a towel. Well, a bit of an underestimation on my part.

My first thought when I woke up the morning of February 2, 2008 and gazed out the window at my parents’ house was “What was I thinking, signing up for the Plunge?” At the moment, there seemed no logical “reason for freezin’.” As I looked across the lake and saw nothing but solid ice and a chilly snow dusting, frankly, I got a little nervous – “What if I couldn’t do it? What if the water was so cold I got a cramp?” So many people had told me I was crazy for jumping in the lake, given the current temperature. I started thinking about how I had raised a pretty significant amount of money, more than $3,000, in such a short period of time – I was getting excited again - I threw on my board shorts, bathing suit top and snow boots and spent the rest of the morning just hoping for a little more sun.

Moment of Truth – did I have it in me to take the Plunge? Dad dropped me off at the Plunge site and I went to find Mom, for words of encouragement, of course. I couldn’t believe how many people were already there - what a huge crowd! There were food stands stocked and manned – hot dogs, coffee, cookies, donuts – police, ambulance (I was particularly happy to see them), scuba divers, firemen who had punched out the plunging hole in the ice - tents, trucks and volunteers – this was really a much bigger event than I thought. I was so impressed by and proud of the sense of community I was witnessing. Then the many plungers – getting ready, creative costumes including tutus, kilts, wedding gowns – next year I was going to be more creative! That’s when I realized I was really going to do this. I threw off my coat, shivered my way to the front of the line, waited my turn – then off I ran, down the “plunge carpet” solo, waving at the crowd. A slight pause at the hole, the rush of hearing onlookers in the background, the thought of my success in receiving such generous contributions - a big jump and plunge and I was truly “freezin’ for a reason!”