The Evergreen Lake Plunge again was a frigid success as 177 plungers jumped into the lake to ring in 2022.
The event, an Evergreen staple since 2009, dares the bold to brave the frosty water, with Evergreen Fire/Rescue personnel available just in case. This year, event sponsor Active4All Evergreen added a costume contest.
As always, the event is a fundraiser for the Evergreen Park & Recreation District’s INSPIRE program for the special needs population. Plus Active4All, which is EPRD’s foundation, helps pay fees for families who can’t afford to use the rec district’s facilities.
Alan Gionet, vice president of the Active4All board and the plunge emcee, said he believed this was the plunge’s biggest fundraising year ever.
“We think we raised about $20,000, thanks to our awesome sponsors in this wonderful town and the jumpers from young to old, dressed up or not, normal or not so normal, especially that guy with the green body tights,” Gionet said.
Costume awards went to: first place individual, Jon Ballist; first place couple, Zane and Smia Merrell; and first place group, Zak Phillips.