Fearless Folks Take an "Arctic Splash" for a Good Cause

Although it was a mild, mid-40s day on Saturday, the participants of the third-annual Arctic Splash didn’t feel all that warm or comfortable as they exited the chilly water at Valley Falls Park.

It was all worth it, however, as the annual charity event raised money for the Send a Kid to Camp program and the Hockanum Valley Community Council.

More than a dozen people braved the early December weather to take part in the Vernon Parks and Recreation-sponsored event, where participants were asked to collect a minimum of $10 each in donations. An award was given to the person who raised the most money which, coincidentally, was the same person who won the best costume prize – Shawna Schmitzke, a.k.a. Winnie the Pooh, of the HVCC. Schmitzke raised an impressive $405 for the cause.

The day’s total was still being tabulated this weekend.

On hand at the event were fire rescue and ambulance personnel, just in case, as well as Mayor George Apel, who performed the honor of lighting the bon fire, which kept participants toasty after their frigid fundraising efforts.