Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hello Information
On the shores of Grand Lake, over 150 contributors gathered for the seventh annual Spirit Polar Plunge. The courageous “plungers” rushed into the chilly water, whereas the “chickens” cheered them on from dry land.
Each the plungers and the chickens who participated within the occasion helped increase funds for Grand County residents battling most cancers. The Polar Plunge is organized by the Taking Steps for Most cancers group, in partnership with Mountain Household Middle.
By way of 5 yearly fundraisers, Taking Steps helps residents offset the prices of most cancers therapy. Since no most cancers therapy is obtainable in Grand County, residents should journey lengthy distances for care. Because of Taking Steps and Mountain Household Middle, residents might be reimbursed for travel-related bills like gasoline, lodging and meals, as nicely therapeutic massage remedy at Blue Sky Therapeutic massage in Winter Park.
Residents can obtain as much as $5,000 per yr in reimbursement. They’ll additionally obtain as much as $1,500 per yr for out-of-pocket prices associated to most cancers screening. In 2023, the Taking Steps fund assisted 42 residents.
On the 2024 Plunge, neighborhood members raised round $60,000, with a number of groups successful prizes for going above and past.
Cans Cancelling Most cancers raised essentially the most cash, led by Taking Steps fundraising chief Daybreak Reall. Bubble Guppies have been the very best dressed staff, decked out in shiny fish costumes. The Lakeaholics have been the biggest staff, with practically 30 members. The perfect all-around staff was Bowties and Boxers.
Taking Steps has a brand new web site — go to TakingStepsForCancer.org to be taught concerning the group, join volunteer alternatives, or to use for monetary help. You can too attain out to Katie Stuvel, Mountain Household’s neighborhood Packages Supervisor, at 970-557-3186 or katie@mountainfamilycenter.org for details about monetary help. For these attention-grabbing in volunteering, you too can e-mail management volunteer Judy Eberly at judy@takingstepsforcancer.org.
The group’s subsequent fundraiser is the Out of the Ashes Dwelling Tour on July 13. Throughout this tour, attendees can view six new properties rebuilt after the East Troublesome Hearth. All ticket gross sales profit the fund.
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A few of chickens have been decked out in specifically made shirts. Even when they didn’t leap into the water, they nonetheless helped increase funds for the trigger.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hello Information
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Daybreak Reall helped arrange the occasion and was a part of the Cans Cancelling Most cancers group. Her husband thanked her and added she was celebrating her birthday.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hello Information
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Making a splash: Members leap into the icy lake for a trigger throughout the 2024 Spirit Polar Plunge.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hello Information
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The Lakeaholics group was organized by volunteer Judy Eberly.
Meg Soyars Van Hauen/Sky-Hello Information
