Emergency personnel will be present at the event in case anything goes wrong. (Stock photos|Canva)

By Derek Cornet

new event

Men of the North to host Polar Bear Plunge fundraiser

Feb 23, 2023 | 1:11 PM

A new fundraiser from Men of the North called the Polar Bear Plunge is sure to be an awakening for those brave enough to partake.

The event will occur March 10 at La Ronge’s Patterson Park at 1 p.m. Men of the North president Christopher Merasty explained a 10-foot by 12-foot opening in the ice will be made. Those who decide to participate will enter the lake on one end and climb out of the other.

“I thought it would be a good initiative to start in La Ronge and hopefully this will be one of many Polar Bear Plunge fundraisers we will be doing in the community,” he said. “There will definitely be a lot of trained personnel and professionals waiting to assist just if there is anything that goes wrong.”

The goal of the Polar Bear Plunge is to raise $6,000. If donations reach $3,000, La Ronge RCMP Staff Sgt. Dean Bridle, deputy-fire chief Jay Wood and La Ronge EMS head of staff Mike Bell will all take the plunge. If $4,000 is raised, Merasty will be getting into the freezing water too.

Men of the North will receive half of the proceeds, while the Canadian Mental Health Association will receive the other half.

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“We don’t have official names or numbers yet,” Merasty said of those who have signed up. “We will definitely continue advocating and hopefully we will start seeing some individuals who are committed and want to come out.”

An event poster with details. (Facebook/Men of the North)

The public is encouraged to participate in the event either as an individual or team of six. Individuals looking to challenge themselves with the Polar Bear Plunge can participate by donating or raising $50 towards the fundraising goal. Teams can donate $250 towards the goal or collect $250 in pledges from others.

Registration and waiver forms, along with additional information, can be found on the Men of the North website.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno