Saturday -- with the air a balmy 44 degrees and the water of Seward's boat harbor measuring a warm 34 degrees -- Homer's Christie Hill took the plunge. Polar Bear Plunge, that is. It was the 10th year Hill has participated in the event. Her fan base cheered her on with donations totaling more than $13,800.
Christie Hill and Richard Smith take the Polar Plunge
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Joining her on the dive platform, as well as in the water, was Richard Smith from American Legion Post 5 in Seward. Smith, jumping for the first time, raised $750.
In previous years, Hill has been the top fundraiser in the event. This year, she was in third place. Chip Alvord of Anchorage came in second with $17,850. In first place was Tammy Wilson of Anchorage with $24,750.
"I want to thank Sue Polis for the $1,025 from her. She's the best ever. I love that lady," said Hill, adding her thanks to the Sons of the American Legion Homer Squadron 16 for a $550 donation, American Legion Post 16 for $500 and John Crandall for $500. Other donations of $500 each came from American Legion posts around the state, as well as numerous donations of smaller, but equally important amounts.
This is the 24th year of the Polar Bear Festival, a three-day event with numerous fundraising activities that help fight cancer. Some participants become involved in honor of loved ones battling the disease. Others are inspired by the memory of those who lost their fight.
Money raised by the jumpers goes directly to the American Cancer Society, while other events over the weekend help fund Kenai Peninsula Children with Cancer grants.
"I was happy when we reached $1 million a couple of years ago," organizer Marilyn Sutherland of Seward said of the events' fundraising success. "Now we're at $1.5 or $1.6 million, no problem."
In spite of last week's storms and Saturday's ice-covered highways, a crowd gathered at the harbor -- on the dock and along the beach -- to support the plunge. Dressed in costumes, the jumpers' names, the amount each one raised and, in some cases, who they were jumping for were announced prior to them hitting the water.
A 10-person team of jumpers from the USCGC Hickory was scheduled to participate. However, the ship and personnel were called into action earlier in the week when the Monarch, an oil platform supply vessel, capsized in Cook Inlet.
"They were on a mission, out doing what they were supposed to do," Sutherland said.
Besides that, the Coast Guard was well represented by a team from Sector Anchorage wearing super hero costumes, and a team from the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Seward.
Driving home from Seward Sunday, Hill was already setting her sights on her 11th jump in 2010.
"I'll be back in Seward with the American Legion in March and can catch up with people I know," she said.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibbenjackinsky.@homernews.com.
