Have you ever heard of "Freezin' for a Reason" for Camp Sunshine? It's a fundraising event that takes place all over the country. Our local one happened just this past Saturday at a mountain...yes, a mountain. In Massachusetts. In January. Full of snow and ice. And wind. Ok, you get it. Well, I had heard of this event over the years and thought how crazy these people must be! At our Wachusett Polar Dip here in Mass, they set up a pool and fill it with the snow guns right there in the middle of all the people skiing and snowboarding in their warm winter gear. The fundraising teams get out there one by one and stand on a ladder and literally 'dip' into this pool...and by dip, I mean jump, canon ball and belly flop. It's pure madness. You have to be some kind of crazy to go through with that kind of thing, don't you think?
Well, the news of the Polar Dip came about and I decided I wanted to be a part of it this year. After becoming more aware of families right around me, even in my own hometown that are struggling with cancer and tumors and all kinds of terrible illnesses that should never be part of a childhood, I wanted to help. I wanted to find a way to be part of something bigger than myself, and this was it. So, there I stood this Saturday atop that mountain freezing my butt off. Wind blowing, hands and toes numb, cold beyond cold...watching my husband get ready to plunge into that ice cold water!! Waitttt....you didn't think I was going to jump in, did you?!? No, thank you!! I did what any sane woman would do...I signed up my husband! There he stood in his bathing suit, barefoot on an icy mountain while waiting to hear 'Team Tommy' called to take their turn to dip. What a champ! Back when I got that urge to be part of something great, I turned to Eric and made a deal. "I'll help you raise the money if you do the jump?" He agreed. What a team we were! With the help of all our family and friends who so generously donated to our cause, we were able to raise a whopping $505 to contribute to Team Tommy for Camp Sunshine. It was incredible!
When it was Eric's turn, we moved forward with the boys to get a closer view of the pool. He climbed on top of that ladder and the announcer welcomed him as a Polar Dip 'virgin' and told him to have at it. In typical Eric fashion, he chose to belly flop into the pool and the crowd cheered and cringed as we watched that dreaded smack into the water. I was so proud. To be there watching each of those people was amazing to see, but my husband in particular was something pretty special. I stood there alongside children who are suffering from cancer, families who are supporting their own child, people who have lost a child and still come out to participate. We were all standing there for the same reason. To give back and to be there for these kids and join together to do something as crazy as jump in freezing cold water to make it all happen. (or at least cheer on someone who would) This is what it's all about I thought. This is my something bigger.
HE DID IT!!!!
Camp Sunshine in Maine
We are already looking forward to next years Polar Dip and truly appreciate the support from everyone who helped us accomplish our goal! Team Tommy as a group raised about $8000 to contribute to Camp Sunshine and it's amazing to think of how many families will benefit from those funds! Have you ever done a fundraiser or been part of something 'bigger than yourself'? Did you get that sense of pride and accomplishment like I did? If you haven't, consider it...it's a feeling like no other! Doing good does you good!!
**Updated...Check out THIS post I wrote later, which piggy backs just how amazing this cause is!
**Updated...Check out THIS post I wrote later, which piggy backs just how amazing this cause is!
Bravo Eric!!!! You may have belly flopped into the frigid water but you are a STAND UP man! Proud to be part of your family!
ReplyDeleteGod bless yous.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6