Cold water for cool funds

At least 50 people have committed to jumping into icy, cold water this Saturday, Feb. 17, to help raise funds for Camp Omega's Adult and Family Retreat Center campaign, but more jumpers are welcome!

Jumpers can register at the Morristown Community Center, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. There is no fee to participate, but donations are welcome. Contact Camp Omega's Russ Schwichtenberg for more information at 507-384-7947.

The first jumper will take the icy plunge into an overflow flood control pool on the side of the community center at 11:30 a.m.

"We're all happy with this set up. It's the perfect controlled, safe setting, and it can accommodate five to 10 people jumping at the same time. It will be about 4-1/2 to 5 feet deep," Schwichtenberg stated. "LaCanne's Marine in Faribault is setting up a new, 30-foot dock for us to jump from. It's going to be a nice set up."

To date, Camp Omega has raised about $2 million of the $3.5 million needed to build the new Adult and Family Retreat Center, which will consist of 25 hotel-style rooms and a large group gathering space.

According to Camp Omega's website, the new retreat center would help the rural Waterville camp continue to meet the demands of adult and family guests.

"This Plunge is meant to keep the excitement for the new retreat center going, bring friends together while raising funds for the project, and have fun," stated Schwichtenberg, who will be taking the Plunge this Saturday with a group of friends. "It's a good reason to get your friends together -- the ones you say you should get together more often with -- and doing something memorable for a good cause."