News News Non-Profit Crazy for a Cause
Crazy for a Cause
- Details
- Published on Friday, 22 February 2013 16:04
- Written by Paul Gordon
When someone yelled, "Ready or not, here we come" at the 13th Annual Dive For Cover event at Maui Jim's on Friday, it sounded more like "Crazy or not, here we come."
With the air temperature at 34 degrees, the water temperature at 32 degrees and the wind chill probably in the low 20s, either one might have been appropriate for the 150 people who, in various forms of dress and undress, plunged into the pond outside Maui Jim's in order to raise money for the South Side Mission.
By the end of the day, with the pledges brought by the divers and the proceeds from a silent auction, it's likely about $65,000 were added to the Mission's coffers on Friday, said Phil Newton, director of the South Side Mission. Pledges alone came to $62,000 this year, he added.
Through the first 12 years of the event, he said, about $500,000 were raised to help the Mission, which gets no money from the government and relies solely on contributions, meet its needs in helping to feed, house and clothe the less fortunate in Peoria.
"We couldn't make without events like this and the generosity of people who give to us. This is a huge event for us every year," Newton said.
Newton was the first one to brave the extreme cold water, taking off his coat, T-shirt and furry buffalo hat to dive in wearing only swimming trunks. He then tried, unsuccessfully, to convince the other divers lined up around the pond that "it's not that bad."
Divers went in one by one, some in swimming trunks and bikinis, but many wearing various costumes.
One group of young men wore tank-top undershirts over shorts and ballet tutus, flowers in their hair. Also spotted were Batman and Wonder Woman, some type of bag-looking outfit worn to advertise a pizza chain and a couple wearing M&M costumes. Other costumes were difficult to describe, but it appeared quite a bit of thought went into them.
Other divers included the WHOI-TV morning team of Gretchen Wirtz and Mark Welp and Doc Watson of WGLO 95.5, which was broadcasting live from the event.
The laughter of those around the pond wearing warm clothes and shooting pictures were drowned out by the screams of the divers when they first hit the water. Not many actually went under water before getting back out and running for the warmth of the Maui Jim headquarters building.
Once inside divers were treated a pizza and soda, but it was easy to see from the laughter and smiles they just enjoyed being there and helping a good cause.
"I really think that is a big part of why something like this works," Newton. "It's different, it's fun and it's for a good cause. We are very grateful for all our supporters and to Maui Jim for hosting the event," he said.
The fact Peoria had its worst winter weather event the night before the dive didn't seem to bother the divers as they shivered and wondered how long it would be before total feeling in their extremities would return. "Hey, I think the snow and the cold just lends authenticity to the event. You can't fake it that way," said Newton.
He said he was grateful for the larger-than-normal turnout of divers this year, considering how the recent recession hampered fundraising efforts for the South Side Mission and other not-for-profit agencies. "The so-called 'fiscal cliff' was really hard on all of us because people were uncertain what was going to happen and so they held on to their contributions," he said.
Other events South Side Mission has to raise money each year include a celebration banquet each May, a golf tournament, fun run and a hike in the fall. "Each event is important to us and the people we serve," Newton said.
For more information about the South Side Mission visit its website at www.southsidemission.org.
