EURE – There was no ice to chip away from the shoreline this year, but yet, as expected, the water was cold.

That fact failed to slow down any of those participating in the fifth annual Gates County Polar Plunge, held Saturday at Beaver Lake. There, over 75 plungers braved the frigid waters, and in the process helped to raise over $5,000 for Gates County Special Olympics.

Another 75-or-so remained dry on the shore as they cheered on those brave souls that either stuck their toes in the frigid water or dove in head-first.

Helping to make the cold bearable for everyone was the chili challenge.

“Without the promise of the delicious chili, prepared by a dozen chefs who donated their best recipes, the plungers might not have taken the plunge,” said event organizer Barbara Toti.

Along with the annual chili challenge, the Gates County Rescue Squad was on hand to provide breakfast items and pork barbecue sandwiches and fries as well as hotdogs sold by Special Olympics. The GCHS band boosters had hot chocolate and popcorn available, which was enjoyed by many of the cold plungers and many bystanders.

The chili challenge winners this year were Leanna Tyler in 1st place; Sallie Ryan in 2nd Place; and a tie for 3rd place between Aron Martin and Janet Lilley.

Others donating chili to the event were of Lisa Jernigan, Kyle Hobbs, Alegrea Boone, RJ Cook, Regina Hurdle and Laura Dickerson.

“Thanks to all of our chili chefs for helping to make this event possible,” Toti said.

The event kicked off at 11:30 a.m. with a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Claire Whitehurst and the Athlete’s Oath recited by the athletes with Gates County Special Olymics.

Toti said the team challenge was again a big hit this year and the competition made it hard for the judges to determine a winner. The biggest trophy of the day, for most creative presentation, was Buckland Elementary School’s “10 Shades of Buckland.” Winning for most creative costume was Gatesville Elementary’s “Plunging Pirates” and Most Entertaining Team went to GCHS’s Dynamite Duo. Honorable mention went to TS Cooper’s Team Spirit Cheryl Frozen Fever. Winning teams received a traveling Polar Bear Trophy, which is up for grabs each year.

Rounding out the rest of the teams were Logan’s Heroes, Countdown the Cap and Gown, Drew’s Crew and Stephen’s Super Supporters.

‘A big thank you to the team leaders for organizing their teams and to all those who donated to their teams to help them reach their goals,” Toti said.

This event could not have been possible without its host, Beaver Lake Ski Club and its members who worked hard earlier in the week to have the event area ready and pitched in that day as well, as well as providing the wood for the bonfire.

Along with Beaver Lake Ski Club, other sponsors helped to ensure the success of the fundraisers scheduled for this year. Special Olympics Gates County and Project Unify would like to thank the following sponsors: Central Ford, Inc. of Ahoskie, Metal Tech, Inc. of Murfreesboro, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Dixie Auto Parts of Sunbury at the Ambassador sponsorship level of $500. The Gold sponsors ($300) were Hall Ruritans, Leslie Byrum Family, Jonathan & Courtney Jones, and Paul Toti Land Surveying. Silver sponsors ($200) this year included Godwin & Godwin, Attorneys at Law, Gatesville Ruritans and in Honor of Mike Donovan. Bronze ($100) sponsors were Blake Byrum, Katherine’s Beauty Nook, Lilley International, Inc., Billy and Claire Presley, Lane Farm Supply, Inc., Corapeake Ruritans, Mr. AJ Stallings, Beulah Baptist Church, WOM Cool Springs Baptist Church, Sunbury Ruritans, SECU-Gatesville, Gates County Lions Club, Oak Grove Christian Church and in memory of Cheryl Kennedy, an avid supporter of Special Olympics.

Donating at the coaches level were Lilley International and donating at the Fans level were Lee Insurance, Red Barn Farms, Gates LLC, Gates Custom Milling and Drew’s Crew

“Without their generous support, this event and our Tread The Mill Walk would not be successful,” Toti stressed. “Because of the donations from our sponsors and those taking the plunge, our athletes are able to travel and compete, as the closest competition is Greenville, with other competitions in Smithfield, Durham, Raleigh and Fayetteville.”

An auction was held as well, with items donated by Nell Eason and Lisa Johnson (as well as a bake sale). Items were auctioned off by Paul Toti, who also emceed the event. Jeff Mitchell, Ray Felton and JT Green were the winners.

Mrs. Toti offered thanks and recognition to the Gates County Rescue Squad and Gates County Emergency Management Service for their presence at and in the lake. “Without their willingness to be a part of the safety net for our plungers, we could not have this event,” she said.

Although watching everyone take the plunge is highly entertaining, a special highlight of the event was watching Rev. Billy Presley, Sr., take the plunge, solo, to the tune of Bad to the Bone!

“Mr. P. took the plunge in honor of his grandson, Bubba, a long time Special Olympics athlete,” Toti stated. “Our youngest plunger was age 5, Summer Abell, and Mr. Presley had just turned 80; both great ages to celebrate with the plunge.”

GCHS Project Unify and Gates County Special Olympics thanked the Gates County community and the Gates County Schools community for their involvement in the event.

“Without the support of our community’s schools, church congregations, civic organizations and citizens, this event would not be able to continue,” Mrs. Toti said. “Because of the tremendous support from our schools and local businesses, each year the event has grown. Special recognition is given to Joe Harrell and the Gates County Maintenance staff for their hard work is preparing the stage for the event. Also contributing to the success of the event was the hard work by the volunteers who helped put the event together, helped with set ups, cleanup, registration, team judging, chili judging, the bonfire, concessions and much, much more.”

Special thanks was given to Beth Joyner, Jennifer Hayes, Sherri Russell, Paul Toti, Barbara Wiant, Matt Biggy, Jonathan Hayes, Ashley Toti, Nolan Toti, Branden Greene, Steve Kennedy Teri Campbell, Jeff Mitchell and Beaver Lake Ski Club members, GCHS Band Boosters, GC Rescue Squad, Stormy Butts, Billy Winn, Tosha Lucas, Tony F., Ed Geis, Regina Hurdle, Gail Hawkins, Alex Toti, Chris Taylor, Josh Fougerousse, Ricky Austin, Nell Eason, Joseph Hurdle, Christina Parks, Ginny and Al Hurdle, Regina Hurdle, Gail Hawkins, Rayshawn Gatling, Nick Geddings, GCHS Technical Theatre II Students, Special Olympics athletes, other members of Project Unify Club and the many others not named who pitched in that day to help make things go smoothly.

Plans are already under way for the 6th Annual Tread The Mill 2016 (last Saturday in October) and the 6th Annual Polar Plunge 2017 (last Saturday in January).

“We hope you will join us at the Millpond in the fall and Beaver Lake in January. We’d love to see church youth groups, school clubs, civic organizations and our local government join in the fun. It’s never too early to be thinking about ‘freezin’ for many wonderful reasons— our local Special Olympics athletes,” Toti concluded.