Sebago Lake Chamber’s first Polar Dip raises money for food pantries

PHOTO: The five-woman team from South Portland stayed in the 34-degree Sebago Lake for 10 minutes, raising $4,000 for Feed The Need during the inaugural Polar Dip, sponsored by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. (Ed Pierce photo)

WINDHAM — The Sebago Lake Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural Polar Dip the weekend of Feb. 20-21, in conjunction with the Sebago Lake Rotary 20th Annual Ice Fishing Derby that same weekend.
The SLCC Polar Dip benefits the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Charitable Trust, or what they like to call Feed the Need, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Although COVID-19 limited the number of jumpers at this year’s Polar Dip, it did not limit the generosity or the spirit of the people in the Sebago Lakes region, organizers said.
“From the Sebago Lake Rotary (especially George Bartlett) who partnered with the chamber on this event, to the volunteers who helped set up, to the folks who came to watch, and to the brave souls who took the plunge into the 34-degree Sebago Lake, a huge ‘thank-you,'” said Robert Mullins, SLRCC executive director, Robin Mullins. “I feel so blessed to live and work in such a generous region. We raised $5,500 for our Feed The Need initiative.”
That money will be added to other funds raised throughout 2020 and checks will be given to 11 local food pantries in Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham sometime in March.
For more information on the chamber, its benefits or events visit website at www.SebagoLakesChamber.com. The champber is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.