Dippers raise funds for cancer patients

A group of nine stalwart Polar Bear "dippers" gathered at a small beach in Eastport's South End on the sunny but cold day of March 5 to have buckets of snow dumped on their heads. They were there to support the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor and Sarah's House of Maine in Holden through the Washington County Community College Student Senate's annual Polar Bear Dip fundraising event. Both houses provide specialized lodging for cancer care patients and family members.
The pandemic has changed the nature of the annual event, which usually takes place at Split Rock at Pleasant Point, where throngs of eccentrically clad dippers race for the water, dunk and run shrieking and shouting with glee back to the embrace of warm towels and blankets. Last year Tessa Ftorek and friends Barbara Barrett and Janice Rice raised a healthy sum with a bucket dump. The same idea for 2022 took off. "This year's kind of grew," Ftorek says. Accompanying the nine "dippers" were bucket dumpers, some on both sides of the bucket wearing pink gauzy tutus and other appropriately zany gear. With a countdown of 10 led by Ftorek, the buckets were raised and slushy snow landed on heads, and Rice was doused with an added bucket of freezing bay water to the sound of applause from the group of friends gathered to cheer them on.
Sarah's House Executive Director Dolores Landry, at the event with Administrative Coordinator Cathy Sjogren, said, "The whole Eastport and Calais community is so special to us." While Sarah's House serves all of Maine and is privately funded, Washington County residents make up 43% of its guests. "Here everyone knows who we are, and it's like family." In addition, she notes, the dip has raised "a lot for us. We couldn't do it without them." Ftorek notes that the sum total raised over the years is reaching $400,000.
At the dip representing the Wayfarer's chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Riding Association was Mark Cook, wearing a tutu over jeans and ready for the bucket dump. "We're dedicating this year to Richard Ramsey," he told the group. Last year Ramsey donned a pink tutu and made snow angels as his "dip" for fundraising. A medical issue kept him out of the dip this year, and Cook was there in his stead, he explained. The Wayfarer's chapter holds a motorcycle ride every July from Machias to Sarah's House as a fundraiser and has raised over $25,000 with the effort, Cook says. "Sarah's House is crucial to Washington and Aroostook counties." Residents of the two counties have to travel far for cancer care, he points out, and he adds that it has special significance this year because of his wife Sharon's stay at Sarah's House while undergoing cancer treatment.
Ftorek explains, "The concept for the Polar Bear Dip originated right here in Eastport at Shackford Head State Park. I had a group of students on a hike on a very warm November day. We were on a beach when two students dared each other to jump in. So they did! Then they suggested we have a Polar Bear Dip." Then WCCC President Bill Flahive gave his blessings to the Student Senate's interest in taking it on. Ftorek adds, "I have enjoyed and am proud to have been involved in this event since the beginning. It couldn't have been done without the support of the college, the Student Senate, the participants and the donors. We have had many memorable 'real' dips in some much colder weather than today. It truly warms my heart to know the good this event does to help these much needed causes. Today was a great day that left me smiling and my heart happy."
Noting the importance of the Ronald McDonald House and Sarah's House, WCCC President Susan Mingo says, "In their time of need, it is comforting to know that both organizations are available to lessen the burdens faced by families traveling from Washington County for their treatments. WCCC's Student Senate is committed to continuing this longstanding tradition of giving back to our greater community. Albeit in a virtual environment again this year, we long for the camaraderie that comes with being together to dip in the frigid waters of the Passamaquoddy Bay and are optimistic that will happen in the near future."
Donations are still being accepted for the Polar Bear Dip and are done exclusively through the WCCC site at www.wccc.me.edu/polar dip 2022.