Revelers take the plunge
A man and a woman run out of Moses Lake after taking part in the Polar Bear Plunge at Cascade Park Saturday to ring in the new year.
MOSES LAKE — Cheering and applause rang through the air Saturday as
people submerged themselves into Moses Lake, turned around, and
walked back out.
They arrived to take part in the annual Polar Bear Plunge at
Cascade Park, where about 75 people arrived to watch the event.
Afterward, Jodi O’Shea, of Moses Lake, said she took part to honor
of her mother, Charlotte Johnson.
Johnson died Wednesday from cancer.
“I
did this for her,” O’Shea said.
She also plans to run a marathon for her mother.
O’Shea, her daughter, Baylie Berendsen, and her nanny, Becky
Isaacson, helped care for Johnson before her death, O’Shea
said.
Jamie Korner, of Seattle, said she felt a sense of accomplishment
for taking the plunge.
“If we can do this, we can do anything,” Korner said. “It was a
good way to bring the new year in.”
Nearby, Korri Loeta, of Moses Lake, said she felt good and was glad
she took part.
This time, it was a last-minute decision for both of them to
participate.
They both replied “of course” when asked if they would return next
year.
Cheryl Hicks, of Moses Lake, said she took part because the event
was on her “bucket list.”
Her husband, James Hicks, watched her take the plunge.
“It’s not as bad as I thought,” Cheryl said. She plans to take part
next year, she said.
Another plunger, Gloria Sauceda, 16, said she wanted to challenge
herself and see what it felt like.
Onlooker Jim Howell said he had seen the event before and wanted to
see it again.
Rosie Hafner, of Grant County Animal Outreach, said she attended to
help the organization and hopefully, received some donated food for
the animals.
The event is held to help the outreach program.
Harmony White, Outreach’s outgoing president, said they received
some monetary donations and expected to receive some pet food.
One volunteer even brought chocolate candies for the jumpers, White
said.