Freezin' for a Reason

If you want to be “freezin’ for a reason” join the Ethel Fund’s team at the 2016 Quemahoning Chillin’ for Charity. Visit www.chillinforcharity.org or email rslindeman@ethelfund.org for registration assistance

Pet lovers are chillin’ for charity

by REBECCA S. LINDEMAN
from SOMERSET MAGAZINE, February issue

 

When the powers that be chose to move the Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge from the Quemahoning Reservoir to Canoe Creek State Park in 2015, the local organizers were devastated.  But our friends Lesley Meyer and Paula Eppley-Newman are women of strong character and fierce determination.  They resolved not to disappoint the group of dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and participants that had made the Plunge a growing success over the past four years.  They vowed that the tradition would continue, but with a new twist: instead of one charity, 15 would receive the benefits of their labor, and all would be local.  Thus, the Quemahoning Chillin’ for Charity was born.

The Ethel Fund enjoys the privilege of being one of those charities.  Our first team was small, but mighty.  For most of us, the inaugural Chill was our inaugural trip into the icy waters of the Que.  It was a bone chilling day (pun intended), so Ethel and I arrived decked out in full winter regalia – myself dressed in layers and Kerplunk wearing boots that changed her gait from that of a fun loving pup to that of a Tennessee Walker – that is, until she pulled them off and began tossing them into the air for a game of catch. 

It wasn’t the carnival-like atmosphere that had been advertised – it was much better.  With live music, free food, crazy costumes, and good-looking folks in uniform, one couldn’t help but enjoy the day.  The veterans laughed, assuring us newbies that it wouldn’t be all that bad, that the water was actually warmer than the air.  We didn’t believe them, but the energy of more than 400 people gathered for a common, crazy, honorable cause, was contagious.  Ethel certainly felt it.

The daily struggle of who is in charge of the leash was in full swing.  Ethel danced about, mouthed, tugged, and chewed through her best leather leash – not once, but three times – leaving me no choice but to allow the Queen her freedom.  Thankfully, she is a herding dog and I am her sheep, she refuses to let me out of sight and, therefore, stayed at my side all day.  She was mistaken for a police dog when we mingled with the armed guards who protect us, a search dog when we visited with the swift water rescue team and volunteer fire department, and as a musher when we greeted the sled dogs.  But, more often than not, she was recognized and we heard the familiar call: “Is that Ethel?”  Besides being the spokesdog of her own charity, Ethel has now been named the Official Dog of Chillville.

When it was time to go into the water, we stripped out of our winter clothes to don our water wear, and fell into place in the lineup for our turn to brave the chill.  Milo, Jaimie, Jenn, Kaye, Susan, and I held hands to form an unbreakable chain - should one of us try to chicken out.  Our teeth chattered, we shivered, and the goosebumps on our skin were as much excitement as a response to the bracing cold.  Our wave was called, in we went, and it was fantastic!  Everyone came out safe and smiling, promising to do it again, next year.

Well, next year has arrived and we are keeping our word.  This year’s team is a bit larger but has room for more.  We cordially invite you to join us on February 13 to be one of the many who are “freezin’ for a reason.” 

 

Rebecca is the President & Executive Director of The Ethel Fund Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to changing animals' lives by providing assistance in times of catastrophic veterinary need.  To learn more, please visit http://www.ethelfund.org or https://www.facebook.com/TheEthelFund.  You may contact Rebecca at rslindeman@ethelfund.org.

Phil Balko is the proprietor of Photography by Balko and donates his talents to the Ethel Fund Inc. as well as other community organizations.  To see more of his work, visit http://philipbalko.com/. You may contact Phil at inquiry@philipbalko.com.