To the Editor:

The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad would like to thank all the brave Polar Bear Plungers for the pledges they raised and plunging into the freezing St. Lawrence River! The ice was 23 inches thick and the temperature was a balmy 19 degrees – at least it was above zero!

We had 20 plungers who raised over $3,700. Paige Merz raised the most pledges – over $1,600 – and won the $500 prize for the most pledges. A very special “thank you” to Kim and Rose Demers and their family who donated pledges even though Kim was unable to participate in the plunge. We awarded prizes for costumes – Paige Merz, “Jacqueline Frost” won for Best Female; Jason Thomas, “DJ Lance” won for Best Male; Blayne Finley, “Have A Heart” won for Most Creative; and Andrew Conlan and Andrew Baker, “Mario Brothers,” won for Most Creative.

The Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad helped us make sure the event is safe and successful. They spend hours cutting through the ice and helping harness the plungers. A special “thank you” to Ken Gardner, Executive Director of the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and his crew – Robert Cilley, David Montroy, David Ford, Claude Bennett, Jamie Planty, Nick Lewis and Jeff Barker. Jamie Planty also was brave enough and took the plunge, too.

Thank you to the North Country Savings Bank who donated goody bags for the plungers. Thanks to Ogdensburg Wal-Mart who gave us a discount on the inflatable hot tub bought. Thank you to Tim Horton who donated coffee and donuts. A thank you to Matt Curatolo and the City Rec staff who helped set up the hot tub --Matt Denner -- and helped set up the Dobisky Visitor’s Center – Tia Beaulieu, Grace Testani and Andrew Layng. We are always grateful for our MC – Dawn Merz and Storm Kennedy for the YESFM Live Remote coverage. A thank you to the City of Ogdensburg for loaning us the beautiful Dobisky Visitor’s Center and the Marina.

Last, but not least – a heartfelt thank you to the Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce Board Members, staff and their families who worked the Polar Bear Plunge – Mike Brashaw, Steve Hawes, Sean McNamara, Lee Jones, Michele Catlin, Maria Pelusi, Cheryl Seymour, Shannon Seymour, Lori Smithers, Megan Smithers, Melissa Lalonde, John Wade, Julia Stevenson, Alex Augsbury and Brandi Jones.

Laura Pearson, Executive Director

Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce