ITHACA, N.Y. –– The fifth annual Ithaca Chill Challenge will take place on New Year’s day at the Ithaca Yacht Club to raise money for Ithaca Community Recovery, a not-for-profit corporation that provides, “safe, affordable, drug/alcohol-free meeting and event space for 12 Step and other recovery-oriented groups, individuals and their families.”
The challenge is a Polar Plunge, but with a twist. The twist is that each participant will have their own page for donations, and their donors can “vote” with their donations to either “Dip ’em” and they’ll have to run into the lake for a dip or “Dodge” ’em and they’ll get to stay dry and watch from the shore.
Participants commit to doing whatever their friends, loved ones, co-workers, frenemies, siblings, and assorted other donors decide. Regardless of who winds up in the lake and who watches from the shore, all donations go to support ICR. The money raised will be used to maintain and improve ICR’s 518 West Seneca Street location as a welcoming and secure home-base for the local recovery community.
Last year the Chill Challenge raised almost $42,000 and ICR hopes to beat that total this year.
Registration in advance is required, and fund-raising will be primarily online, with mail and in-person options as well.
There are prizes for the top five individual and top three team fundraisers, prizes for best costumes and gifts for participants raising over $150. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided during the event.
Sign-up and donation information can be found on the Chill Challenge website. The event is on Jan. 1, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ithaca Yacht Club, located at 1090 Glenwood Road, Ithaca.