Divers dip into deep water for United Way

Michael Brown

Edmonton — Body temperatures plunged but the United Way's money thermometer inched higher on Friday as the University of Alberta's Jeux Du Commerce (JDC) team held its second annual Chillin' For Charity Polar Bear Swim.
About 40 brave souls donned a wide range of poolside attire and dove, flopped, cannonballed and back-flipped into a cold-beer-temperature pool all in the name of the U of A's biggest charity drive.
"The water was absolutely freezing, but as you can tell, the coldness of the pool was overshadowed by the fun of the day," said event organizer Maureen Walsh, of the arctic plunging that helped raise more than $30,000 for the United Way. It is, by far, the biggest contribution to date.
"JDC recognizes the importance of community involvement and charity initiatives on campus," said Walsh. "That's where Chillin' for Charity fits into the competition."
Chillin' For Charity is part of a challenge from JDC teams across Western Canada who host similar swims on the same day. JDC West provides students from nine universities the chance to compete in intense academic, social and athletic contests.
As part of the $30,000 donation, U of A School of Business Dean Mike Percy raised the stakes by not only offering to match all funds raised by his Business 201 students, but also promising he'd bungee jump at West Edmonton Mall if their donations exceeded $2,500. The class raised $4,500.
"Given that last year we raised $1,584.97, I thought it was a safe bet," said Percy, whose motive for this year was not just to raise more money but to improve on last year's dive. "Last year, I did what I thought was a perfect cannonball. There was a little problem in that I misjudged my height; I went too high relative to the depth of the pool. This year I will try for the same form, just not as high."
Percy was joined by Mike Mahon, dean of the Faculty of Physical Education, in the ceremonial first dive which was followed by springboard performances from a cast of superheroes, synchronized swimmers, a newly married couple and the king himself, Elvis Presley.
With that, the U of A's United Way fund-raising drive sits at $534,000 with a week to go, although donations for this year's total are counted right up to Dec. 31.
"We only raised $6,500 last year, and this year it was $30,000 so it's bigger and better, and we're going to go even bigger next year," said Walsh, adding that hopefully these late fall balmy conditions carry over to next year's Chillin' For Charity Polar Bear swim. "(Last year) we had to chip ice off the water before Dean Percy jumped in. It was -32 C with the wind chill."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• University
• of
• Alberta
• Edmonton
• Canada
• United
• Way
• Polar
• Bear
• Swim
• cold
• freezing
• funny
• hilarious
• elvis
• splash
• wet

[tomscoot1]

the freak was naked

[dorm104]

Awesome costumes and dive styles!!