To the Editor:

The Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce and the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad would like the thank everyone who participated in the 11th Annual Polar Bear Plunge.

A special thank you to our generous sponsors: Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, America1 Realty, Cape Air, Carlisle Law Firm, Casella Waste Service. Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, DeFelsko, Johnstown Duty Free Shop; Kimro’s Medicine Place, Mort Backus and Sons, Inc., NNY Newspapers (The Journal/Advance News), Ogdensburg Save-A-Lot; Stephens Media Group; St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union and Tim Horton’s.

Thank you to our (18) Plungers who raised over $5,000 in pledges: Brittany Dority, Megan Judware, Rich Bzura, Maggie Dean, Pete Amo, Andrew Halpin, Haley Newman, Ashley Ives, Matthew Ferris, Laurie Sargent, Dave Ferris, Diane Gilbert, Matt Peacock, Marion Guitard, Ingmar Hornbach, Aline Bosco, Harley Hanson and Paige Merz. Thanks to our non-plunger – Kim Demers!

Thank you to our vendors -- Sunny in the Hollow; Origami Owl/Sweets & Treats; Ogdensburg SnackPack Program; Bechaz Cheese; Paracord & More; International Student Exchange Program and Paparazzi Jewelry. Thanks to the OFA Senior Service Volunteers – Nathaniel Dufore, Breanna Hacia, Anthoni Pope, Dakota Pratt and their advisor, George Snyder.

A special “thank you” to the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad team who harnessed and kept our plungers safe – Storm Cilley, David Montroy, Sean Moore, Samantha Martin and Matt Antwine!

Thanks to Matt Curatolo and all the City Recreation team who helped out before, during and after the plunge – Matt Denner, Dale Donaldson, Chelsea Brenno and Tia Beaulieu.

A heartfelt “thank you” to all the Chamber Board members – Alex Augsbury, Kathy Bogart, Michele Catlin; Craig Chevalier; Kim Demers; Amy Hartford; Steve Hawes; Wayne Izzo; Shelly Odendahl; Lee Jones; Melissa Lalonde; Marcia LeMay; Kevin McDonough; Sean McNamara; R. O’ Donnell; Christopher Pitcher; Betsy Porter; Sarah Purdy; John Rishe; Rhonda Roethel; Judy Ryan; Julia Stevenson; Michael Thayer; Derek VanHouse and John Wade.

A round of applause and thanks to Dawn Merz our wonderful MC. And last, but not least – thanks to Kim Snyder, our hard-working, energetic admin assistant.

Laura Pearson

Greater Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce executive director