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PHOTO: Izzy Bouchard and Morgan MacMaster take part in the AYCC Polar Plunge March 11. (Kevin Giguere/Central Maine Photography Staff photo)
By Mark Huard
OAKLAND – More than 50 braved the frigid Messalonskee waters for the 30th annual Polar Plunge on March 11, hosted by Alfond Youth and Community Center, in Waterville.
The plunge, held at the Pressey House, raised $22,000 to support AYCC programs for at-risk youth, including Camp Tracy and Greenhouse to Your House food security. The amount was raised by plungers, as well as event sponsors.
Top fundraiser was, for the eighth year in a row, Tony Tuell, who raised $4,500. First-time plunger top fundraiser was Ashton Erving, a participant in the AYCC Unified Champions program, with $2,465.
Another first-time dipper was Crista Lavenson, AYCC director of advancement, who has run the event for 10 years, but never ventured into the water. This year, she put out a challenge to raise $2,000 in 24 hours and with a last-minute flurry of pledges made her goal and took the plunge.
