They Were Indeed “Freezin’ for a Reason”

This past Saturday was the Rotary Club of Gloucester‘s 8th Annual Polar Plunge.

I arrived at the Cape Ann Motor Inn just past 10:00 am and was immediately surprised by the large number of people already in the midst of gathering.  Shuttle busses from Good Harbor Beach continued to arrive, swimmers got ready, and after a welcome from both Senator Bruce Tarr and Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken the quick countdown began and the fearless plungers ran to the water.

Congratulations to all.  A great turnout for a greater cause!

The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. Several hundred people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year. Last year, over 300 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $120,000. Since the first Rotary Polar Plunge in 2011, Massachusetts Rotarians have raised over a half-million dollars with this event.

Since 1985, Polio has been the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and UNICEF. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When Rotary International took on the battle against this disease, more than 350,000 people spanning 125 countries were suffering from polio. Today, there are three countries awaiting eradication – Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2016, there were 37 wild polio cases reported; in 2017, there were 20 cases reported. More information on Rotary’s #EndPolioNow campaign can be found at www.EndPolio.org.

This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians and friends raise toward eradication efforts. A 60-cents donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life. Please support Gloucester Rotarians as they brave the icy waters to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. The goal for the plunge is $125,000. Help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease!  Make a donation now!