Crazy for critters and cold water

Humane society offers family fun fund-raiser, warmer water than expected

MOSES LAKE — Before the polar bear plunge could begin, several children were at the lake's edge exploring.

The rocks they tossed bounced across the thick ice covering most of the surface, save for a hole that had been cut to make room for roughly 30 people who would mark the beginning of 2006 by leaping into the cold water.

Donations went to the Moses Lake-Grant County Humane Society.

As rain began to fall, friends and family gathered to watch, laugh and offer blankets, towels and warmth to those brave enough to actually take the plunge.

"Invigorated," plunge participant and Moses Lake Fire Department captain Bob Scott said he felt like after emerging from the lake in his trademark red long johns, helmet and boots. Scott has participated for nine years.

"Another fine year," he said. "Good turnout, very pleased. We'd just like to see more people come out. They don't have to do it, just come out and watch."

As they do every year, Bruce Russell, co-owner of Papa's Casino and Lake Bowl, and a group of his employees piled into a limousine and took the plunge. Russell estimated this year was his eleventh or twelfth taking the plunge.

"It's just a great way to start the year," he said, adding it's not a mandatory thing for his employees to turn out. "They just started turning out, every year we get new ones and it just keeps building. It's just exhilarating, it's a different thing to do, it's fun to do and just tradition.

It was Billy Brice's second time. He explained he wanted to join his family at the bowling alley.

"Really cold," he said when asked how he was feeling. "But it feels good after you get done."

"It's a refresher," said Isaac Eilers, also on his second year.

"It was more than I expected," said Dani Holle, with friend Amy Cromer, who agreed she also got more than she bargained for, but both indicated that they had fun.

It was the first time for Mary DeHerrera to witness the event. She became director of the Moses Lake-Grant County Humane Society in 2005.

"This was awesome," she said, adding it wasn't quite what she expected, but was way more than she was expecting. "Great community support."

DeHerrera's daughter, Brianna, 8, said she tried because "I'm not chicken. I thought it would be a lot colder."

Humane society worker Stacey Hill and her four sons all took the plunge as well.

"Anything to help out our critters," she said. "We're not in it for the money, we're in it for the animals, so anything that helps them."

She added that she was expecting to freeze to death when she walked into the lake, but echoed other people in saying she expected the water to be colder.

"Actually, it wasn't that bad," she said. "The only thing that really was cold was my feet. The rest of it was fun."

"I thought that it was kind of cold and when you first go in, your legs kind of hurt," Kodi Hill said, echoing his mother in expectation of colder water.

Several participants proffered their advice for those people thinking about taking the polar bear plunge in 2007.

Russell and Brice both advised newcomers not to think about it too much.

"Just get it over with, you'll feel better in the end," Brice said.

"Don't worry about it too much, maybe find some liquid courage and go for it," Eilers said.

Holle advised wearing shoes with no socks, while Cromer suggested bringing warm clothes.

"It's not that cold. You should try it," Brianna DeHerrera said.

Kodi Hill advised wearing a wetsuit, while mom Stacey said, "Bring your family out. All four of my little boys went in with me. It's actually fun. The kids are still sitting in (the car), 'Oh, this is so cool.'"