FORT FRANCES – Lions are set to make like polar bears on New Year’s Day.
The Voyageur Lions Club’s Polar Plunge, an annual tradition, will take place Jan. 1 on Rainy Lake near Lake Road – weather permitting.
Lions Club member Bill Michl said Tuesday that he’s not worried about the weather, yet.
The Polar Plunge will be a go “as long as we have six to eight inches of ice” on the lake for the event, he said.
In past editions of the icy dip, “it’s always been frozen enough for us to hold the event,” he said.
As of Tuesday, there were six groups and three Lions Club members rarin’ to take the plunge, Michl said.
One of those groups is a pair of “Lakers Moms” who have sons on the local Superior International Junior Hockey League team.
“This was a bucket list [item] for me and my best friend to do,” one of those hockey moms, Missy Nelson, explained.
“We thought it would be a fun and exciting time as well, and why not give back to the Lakers? They've been a rebuilding team this year and really working hard within our community.”
Nelson’s son Kale is a defenceman on the Lakers roster. She’ll be taking the plunge with Beanie Lowes, whose son Landon is a forward.
“We're getting a lot of local support and pledges,” Nelson said, adding the level of support has “kind of blown us out of the water.”
The money Nelson and Lowes collect in pledges will be split evenly between the Lakers and the Lions Club. If the pair collect more than any other team, the Lions Club will add a bonus amount to the Lakers’ half.
Registration starts at noon at La Place Rendez-Vous. The plunge takes place at 1 p.m.
Michl can be reached for more information at (807) 276-1334.
