News File Photo Plunging fairies brace for a cold landing at the 2019 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. This year’s plunge will be held Satuday at SandBar and Grill on Long Lake.

ALPENA — There’s less than a week left for donors to collect pledges from people who want to see the donors jump through a hole into the cold, cold waters of Long Lake.

The annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics, taking place Saturday at SandBar and Grill on Long Lake, invites people to don silly costumes and catapult themselves into frigid water to raise money for a good cause.

Last year’s event garnered over $28,000 for Special Olympics.

Dr. Jamie Decker, of Alpena, is plunging for the third time. The physician at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena participates in the plunge because he has cared for patients with Down syndrome.

Special Olympics allows people with disabilities to participate in organized sporting events, paying for travel, lodging, and programming costs.

The physical activity, competition, and camaraderie of sporting events helps with the overall well-being of people with physical struggles, Decker said.

And “it brings them joy,” he added

The first time he jumped, Decker lept alone. Last year, his daughter and her friend joined him. This year, he’ll be part of a crowd.

The Frozen Lumberjacks, as of Friday the top-earning team registered for the plunge, consists of Decker and a fellow physician, plus their sons and sons’ friends.

“You don’t want to have too much skin exposed if you’re standing around waiting to jump in,” said Decker philosophically as he perused thrift store racks for the right flannel shirt to add to blue jeans, an axe, and maybe a fake beard to complete the lumberjack look. “If you’re scantily clad, it might be quite painful waiting.”

The cold water isn’t really as bad as you might think, he said with the voice of experience, the suddenness of it dulling some of the shock of the coldness.

“Once you hit the water, all you’re looking for is that ladder to climb out,” Decker said.

A first-time plunger for the Special Olympics, Capt. Andy Marceau, of the Alpena Fire Department, is still working on his costume plans.

“I may just go as Fireman Andy,” he said.

Being a known figure in the community might help him raise a few bucks for Special Olympics, Marceau hoped, calling the support of a good cause — even through the expense of some goose bumps — “absolutely the right thing to do.”

The community has supported his family over the years by giving generously to support the athletic programs in which he and his kids participate, Marceau said.

Now, he’s glad to be able to support another organization that makes athletics possible for others.

Marceau said donations to support his jump can be dropped off at the fire station. Any donor can give to any plunger online.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693, jriddle@thealpenanews.com or on Twitter @jriddleX.

If you go

∫ WHAT: Law Enforcement Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Area 3

∫ WHEN: Saturday, February 15. Registration starts at noon, plunge to begin around 1 p.m., followed by live auction and awards.

∫ WHERE: SandBar and Grill, 9027 W. Long Lake Road, Alpena

∫ HOW MUCH: Free to enjoy the fun. Any donation supports plungers. The event will include a 50/50 raffle, live auction and a Party In a Sled raffle.

∫ INFO: A pre-jump breakfast breakfast beginning around 9 a.m. also supports Special Olympics. Make pledges online at give.classy.org/Alpena20 or at the event.