Dozens take part in 30th anniversary plunge

Day’s Jewelers’ Craig Adams, left, Jessica Ross, and Tony Cuares, dive into the frigid waters of Messalonskee Lake. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff)

by Mark Huard

The 30th anniversary for the polar plunge, a fundraising event hosted by the Waterville Area Alfond Youth and Community Center, was held on Saturday, March 11, with over 150 folks showing up at Oakland’s historic Pressey House, in Oakland, to enjoy the beautiful crisp weather, Pinky D’s delicious poutine, and watch the over 50 fundraisers take the plunge into Messalonskee Lake. Along with sponsors like Central Maine Motors and Kennebec Savings Bank, the event raised $22,000 to support at risk youth in programs like Summer Camp Tracy and Greenhouse to Your House food security.

Top fundraisers included Tony Tuell for the eighth year in a row at $4,500, and first time dipper Ashton Erving, a participant in the AYCC Unified Champions program, with $2,465. Another first-time dipper was Crista Lavenson who, despite having run the event for 10 years, had never ventured into the water. She put out a challenge to raise $2,000 in 24 hours and with a last-minute flurry of pledges at the event managed to reach her goal and take the plunge!

Izzy Bouchard, back, and Morgan MacMaster, take the plunge with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography staff)