Group Thanks Many for Polar Plunge Success

To the editor:

The ice has grown deeper, and so has our appreciation for everyone who supported the 2010 held on December 11. Now that the final tally is in, we'd like to formally thank everyone who contributed to the event's success.

Mother Nature sure did her part, surprising us with about four inches of ice on the lake. Thanks to Earl Storey and the for working so hard to break the ice prior to the event. Thanks to Mary-Lynne Thayer and the other brave souls who dared to wade the waters on the day of the Polar Plunge to break and move the ice, so plungers would be safe.

To the 30 or so plungers, we couldn't have held this event without you. Thank you! Your sense of humor and adventure made the event a lot of fun. And, the donations you collected will help our community in a big way.

To the corporations -- Central One Credit Union, , , and Polar Beverages -- who helped with meeting space, food donations and even our polar bear mascot costume, thank you!

To the Consummate Gentlemen a cappella group and all the entertainers, thank you! To Steve Masciarelli for audio set-up, thank you! To Chris Gage for audio equipment, thank you! To the for allowing us to use Chauncy Lake, thank you! And to the and , thank you for providing personnel to ensure all plungers and attendees were safe throughout the event.

Finally, thank you to everyone who came out and witnessed this amazing show of community giving and everyone who sponsored a plunger. In the end, we raised almost $11,000.00. Half will go into the In Your Shoes general fund to help residents with emergency financial needs throughout 2011, while 25% will go to and 25% will go to the Westborough Food Pantry. The 2nd Annual In Your Shoes Polar Plunge was another huge success and we are so grateful to every person who made a contribution. We all look forward to 2011's Polar Plunge, planned for December 3... hope to see you there!

In Your Shoes