By Lauren Zazzara
Features Editor
St. Bonaventure’s Polar Plunge team will be “freezin’ for a reason” on Dec. 5. Twelve students, led by junior finance major Ben Collins, will carpool to Buffalo to plunge into Lake Erie to raise money for Special Olympics New York.
According to Paula Scraba, Ph.D, O.S.F., members of the Bonaventure team are asking family and friends for donations. Collins said so far, they have raised $1,028, with their ending goal set at $1,200.
“One hundred percent of what is raised in Western New York stays in Western New York,” said Scraba, who helped organize the Polar Spray, the pre-event to the Polar Plunge that was hosted by the women’s swimming and diving team on Sept. 25. “Eighty percent raised statewide goes directly back to the participants. A high percentage of the money is going directly to the individuals who need the support.”
Scraba said Bonaventure began participating in the Polar Plunge eight years ago when the Students for Free Enterprise, (SIFE), now the Campus Activities Board, (CAB), took it on as one of its main projects. Now, Collins, whose father is the director of sports training for Special Olympics New York, leads the student team.
“For the past two years, Dr. Paula has helped me get students excited and involved for the Buffalo Polar Plunge,” said Collins. “Without Dr. Paula, the St. Bonaventure team wouldn’t be as successful as it is. She is very good at getting the team started.”
Collins said he began participating in the Polar Spray with his friends in ninth grade.
Collins, a member of ENACTUS and the cross-country team, has recruited students groups to go with him to the plunge. He said he advises the students come prepared.
“I learned the hard way last year that you need to bring an extra pair of shoes,” he said. “My toes were cold the entire drive home.”
Scraba said Bonaventure also has a connection to Special Olympics New York. The CEO, Neil Johnson, is a Bonaventure alum.
“He takes a lot of pride in his university,” she said. “Our students recognize the significance of supporting our alums, that we’re all one big family and we all help out in whatever way we can. I know it means a lot to him as an alum that he has the support and the backing of the institute that gave him the skills and motivation to be out there for others.”
Scraba said the Bonaventure team can still accept donations after the plunge is completed. She said those who want to donate can write a check and send it to Special Olympics New York and can designate in what team or individual’s name they want it donated. Bonaventure will be competing against six universities in the Buffalo area to raise the most money.
As for the plunge, Collins said he is excited for Saturday’s event.
“It’ll be fun to spend a day with the students brave enough to swim in Lake Erie in December,” he said. “No matter how many times you take part in the event, you can never fully prepare for the cold water. It’ll be a great day with some great people!”
Scraba added that Collins’ enthusiasm and the enthusiasm of the other students makes her grateful.
“I put the idea out to Ben, and he just went with it,” she said. “That’s the key to a lot of programs on campus. Those that are student-generated and student-supported I think get the best responses, because students see the value of it. They’re receiving as much as they’re giving.”
zazzarlm13@bonaventure.edu
