First ‘Panther Plunge’ helps fuel bank
BY BILL BESWICK ReminderNews
Would you go swimming on the 23rd of January, in a reservoir in northern Connecticut ? Several East Windsor residents did, and it was all for a very good cause – to raise money for the East Windsor Fuel Bank. The inaugural “Freezin’ for a Reason Panther Plunge” was sponsored by the East Windsor Parks and Recreation Department, and the brief but bitterly cold swim was held at the park on Reservoir Road. Under sunny skies, with the temperatures hovering around the freezing mark, a large group of brave citizens plunged into the bitter cold water of the park on a Saturday afternoon .
Once out of the water, the participants gathered around a wood fire to take the chill off, followed by a warming party at the Broad Brook School. There, the Panther Plungers enjoyed hot chocolate, coffee and refreshments, which were all made available by the East Windsor High School Booster Club and East Windsor PTO.
Although a final figure was not available at press time last week, Melissa Maltese, the East Windsor Parks and Recreation Department director and organizer of the event, estimated that more than $2,500 was raised and will be turned over to the East Windsor Fuel Bank.