Photos and story by Monty Siekerman
The wind chill was colder in Ada than in Fairbanks, Juneau, and Anchorage, nevertheless some brave, furless polar bears took a plunge into the campus Polar Bear Pond on Saturday afternoon.
YOU BET - THE PHOTOS GET COLDER ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY -
The shivering experience was all for a good cause: to raise money for the American Red Cross. About $2,000 was expected to be raised at the event.
The fifth annual Polar Plunge drew about 150 students and members of the community who paid to take a dip and got pledges from friends who dared them to do so.
The weather at the time:12 degrees with a minus 4 wind chill factor.
Winter in Ada has been on the mild side, but an arctic blast arrived in Ada just in time for this year's swim.
Chainsaws cut through about 3 inches of ice this year compared to an eight-inch thick layer last year to make the "swimming" hole.
The philanthropy event is organized each year by members of Alpha Eta chapter of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.
Plenty of emergency personnel were on hand, just in case, including the local fire, ambulance, police departments and ONU security.
The plungers, after drying off in a heated tent, were served hot chocolate and Kewpee hamburgers.
It was a teeth-chattering good time to benefit the Red Cross.
