Freezin' for a reason: Locals brave the elements for a good cause

Updated Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - 2:56pm by Guest

Location 

Cedar Point

Register photographer Luke Wark, Producer Freddie Coffey and a horde of other local yahoos dove into an icy Lake Erie during the 3rd annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Why? The event is one of nine plunges to be held throughout Ohio in the months of January - March. All proceeds from these events directly support and benefit Special Olympics Ohio, raising over $20,000 annually.

"I thought I was going to die," said Coffey who participated in his first Polar Plunge. "After about five minutes though, my feet went numb and it wasn't so bad."

Saturday's festivities included a costume contest and a Post Plunge Party at TGI Friday's.

"It may be cold out and its probably not the brightest thing to be doin, but it's definitely for a great cause," stated Wark.

Lake Erie surface temperature at plunge time... thirty-three degrees.