Built By Pottsy Polar Swim Donation & Sponsor Page
The Built By Pottsy Jump Team Raised $611 For The Event, See The List Of Sponsors At The Bottom Of This Page!
Polar Bears Raise $40,000 In Icy Plunge
By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal Staff Writer
The Portage Lakes Polar Bear Club's Seventh Annual Jump with around 400 jumpers raised funds for the American Cancer Society.
About 400 - arecord - made the icy splash for charity at the seventh annual polar bear jump. The event raised about $40,000 - also a record - for the American Cancer Society.
One man made a splash early, jumping naked into the water about a half-hour before the 2PM starting time. Several minutes later, police escorted the man away; by that time , he was in a coat. So many jumpers and observers showed up that traffic gridlock propted park officers to shut down the park for about an hour begining about 2PM. "We had people walking from McDonald's - a mile down the road - to get here to jump," said event orginizer Heather Pariso. She said the weather and the cause — the Cancer Society — were factors in bringing out jumpers. The event benefits a different charity each year. Before Saturday, the event had raised more than $118,000. Saturday's first jumper was Dave Taylor, 46, of Akron, bellowing out, ''Let's get this party started!'' as he dived into an area cut from the ice. A DJ blared music, adding to the festival/rock concert feel. ''It's still really cold like other years,'' Taylor said, grabbing a towel moments after he emerged, ''but the sun helps when you're getting out.'' The minimum entry fee was $25. But like many others, Taylor raised more, contributing $168. This was the first jump for the Flintstone costumers: Maynard, a 44-year-old crane operator who lives in Green, and Smith, 40, an electrician, who lives in Coventry Township. Jumping with them — also for the first time — were Maynard's son, Dayne, 17, who was dressed like Flintstone's wife, Wilma, and family friend, Ryan Norton, 16, of Coventry Township, who was dressed as Peebles, the Flint-stones' baby daughter. ''Our wives wouldn't jump,'' Maynard said, ''so we had [the teens] fit in their costumes.'' Jumping for the third time — wearing pirate gear — was Robert Kansa, 47, of Copley Township. Kansa, a technical illustrator, and family and friends have turned the event into an annual ritual, complete with tailgating. ''I lost my sword two years ago in the water,'' Kansa said. ''You do that, defending the home waters.'' ''There's no wind. This is nice,'' said Kansa's buddy Paul Hunter, 40, a truck driver from New Franklin, who also was a repeat jumper. Among the youngest jumpers was A.J. Schoonover, 11, of Green, who was making his fourth jump. This year he jumped in honor of one of his grandmothers, a 27-year breast cancer survivor. Also jumping in honor of a cancer survivor was Robert Coggins, 26, who is a transportation worker at a hospital. Coggins, of Akron, and his mother, Leisha Coggins, 46, of Northfield Center Township, jumped together. They raised $1,500 for the Cancer Society. Heather Pariso, a nurse, her husband Kelly, of Coventry Township, and neighbors Debbie and Jeff Fulkman founded the jump in 2004. The Parisos' and Fulkmans' backyards served as the initial site of the event, which moved to the state park in 2007. Heather Pariso said other polar bear plunges across the country weren't the inspiration. Rather, her husband, a financial planner, wanted to create a fun winter activity involving the Portage Lakes. As in earlier years, New Franklin firefighters, in diving suits, were in the water as a precaution. An ambulance was parked nearby. ''We've never had any problems,'' Heather Pariso said.
Pottsy's Jump Video
Med-Evac Coming In For The Event.
The Walk Across The Lake After The Jump.
Pottsy Getting Ready To Jump
The Fella's
Pottsy Jumping
Pottsy & Warm Dry Clothes
Elizabeth & Polar Bear
Ron, Elizabeth, Pottsy & Jeff
Jeff, Ron & Pottsy Before The Jump
Elizabeth With Jeff In His BBP Shirt
Jeffs Big Jump
Super-Man Jeff
Close Up Of Super-Man Jeff With Ron Looking On
Ron Getting Ready To Jump With Pottsy In The Water Video Recording
Ron Jumping
Ron In The Water With Pottsy
MedEvac coming in for the event
Ron & Elizabeth
Walking Back Across The Lake
The After Jump Celebration
Location Of Jump:
Time Of Jump:
2pm
More Info.
http://www.portagelakespolarbearclub.com/
Polar Swim Sponsors & Locations
1. Built By Pottsy LLC - Carrollton, Ohio
2. Gwen & Bill Potts - Carrollton, Ohio
3. Ron Eckelberger - Franklin, Pa
4. Jeff Dettling - Springfield, Ohio
5. James Tolin JR - Shearers.com - Carrollton, Ohio
6. Larry Murphy - North Canton, Ohio
7. David Haughs (Taxx) - RRORC.COM - Indianapolis, IN
8. Jackson Yoder (Yakk) - RRORC.COM - Ephrata, PA
9. Elizabeth Potts (Byrd) - Carrollton, Ohio
10. Thomas Bone - Oceaneering.com - Katy, TX
11. John Chiurco - Genie Company - Malvern, Ohio
12. Max Kattner - Oceaneering.com - Houston, TX
13. Helen Newman - Oceaneering.com - Houston, TX
14. Rough Rangers Off-Road Club - Sean Campbell (Chubby) - RRORC.COM - Aurora, Ohio
15. Linda & Jim McCormick - West Salem, Ohio
16. Anne Secoy - Medina, Ohio
17. R W Spottswood III - Oceaneering.com - Gretna, LA
18. In Memory Of Dad Barnes - Ohio
19. The Furry Potts' Kids - Carrollton, Ohio
20. Nico Viola (Modfather) - RRORC.COM - North Royalton, Ohio
21. Wendy & Scot Grandel (Scot90BII) - RRORC.COM - Washington, PA
22. Dave & Jen Potts "Pottsy" - Orrville, Ohio
23. Deb Mcnerney - Franklin, Pa
24. Rose Sanner - Crane Berry, Pa.
25. Rich Eckelberger - St. Petersburg, Pa
26. Morgan Dehner - Seneca, Pa
27. Tom Frobe - Slippery Rock, Pa
28. Grace Malys - Reno, Pa
29. Fan Lander - Reno, Pa
30. Steve Pedley - Seneca, Pa
31. Scott Ritchey - Franklin, Pa
32. Rich Miller - Oil City, Pa
33. Chris Loll - Oil City, Pa
34. Michael Lockhart - Oil City, Pa
35. Dale Caldwell - Butler, Pa
36. Cindy Klapec - Oil City, Pa
37. Matt Miller - Kennerdell, Pa
38. Mary Dehner - Seneca, Pa
39. Jen Bretz - Erie, Pa
40. Beth Ann Proudfoot - Franklin, Pa
41. Michael Rultman - Franklin, Pa
42. Stella Kudlac - Franklin, Pa
43. Jeff Yashinski - Franklin, Pa
44. Angel Alcorn - Franklin, Pa
45. 
Again, a big thanks to our sponcors!
We apologize if we spelled your name or location wrong, but you have to understand, it’s a Pottsy thing!
No Longer Taking Donations
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