21st Brrrmidji Plunge makes a splash for Special Olympics
Feb. 15—BEMIDJI — While some may have opted to stay indoors as the real-feel temp hit 13 degrees below zero on Saturday afternoon, dozens of brave souls did the opposite and instead went for a dunk in Lake Bemidji.
A total of 68 jumpers took part in the 21st Brrrmidji Plunge, a tradition for some and a new adventure for others. One participant hailed all the way from Brazil and also happened to be the oldest to take the leap.
Mo Ribeiro de Oliveria, 64, who now lives in California, donned a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops and made sure to pump up the crowd before jumping into the frigid waters to a round of applause.
Event emcee Dave Brooks, from KB101 FM, said next year a Brazilian flag will be added in Oliveria's honor to the assortment of countries and states represented in the flags that surround the barricade each year.
While the crowd was a little smaller this year due to the chilling temperatures, members of the Bemidji State Senate were on hand with hot chocolate to keep attendees warm during the event.
In her opening remarks, Bemidji Jaycees' Brrrmidji Plunge Chair Brittany Isensee shared the goal behind the event — raising money for local Special Olympics. She said this year's top pledge raisers contributed a combined $1,243 to the cause.
Erin Keller earned the bronze medal for raising $318. Chris Cales and Jagger Cales tied for silver and each raised $350, with the gold going to Jura Hill for raising $525.
Isensee added that 2024's event drew
105 jumpers that raised a record $8,000 for Special Olympics,
and they hope to raise close to that again this year even with a smaller turnout.
She also emphasized the community support that leads to the success of events such as the Brrrmidji Plunge.
"We're always encouraging new people to join the Jaycees to keep events like this going in the community," Isensee added. "On the third Tuesday of each month we have membership meetings at Keg N' Cork that anyone can come to and check things out or people can join online. But we just love getting new members."
She also thanked all the Bemidji businesses that partnered with the Jaycees again this year to make the event happen.
"We always appreciate our big sponsors for making this happen every year, especially Ellis Towing for cutting the big hole in the ice and prepping things for us," she said. "We even had a volunteer group from Choice Therapy help set up the barricade fencing this year, which was super awesome of them."
King of the Road Trailers supplied the trailer used for staging ahead of the plunge, with the warming tents coming courtesy of The Party Store and Cenex supplying heaters and propane to keep them nice and toasty for participants to change in after their frigid leap.
"We couldn't do this without all the great community support," Isensee said, "and we so appreciate everyone who came out today to support a great cause."
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