MARLBOROUGH – With a countdown, seven people ran from the shores of Memorial Beach into the cold waters of the For Meadow Reservoir last weekend.
It marked the inaugural Polar Plunge to Fight Polio held by the Marlborough Rotary Club.
“The Marlborough Rotary Club along with Rotary International in their efforts to eradicate polio worldwide decided to put on an annual polar plunge right here at Memorial Beach in Marlborough,” said President Mark Vital.
Vital hopes it’s the first of many more polar plunges.
“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “It really was. It was a challenge, no doubt about it, but it was a lot of fun seeing the kids jump in and everything.”
Vital, who participated in the plunge, said his life flashed before his eyes.
“In a split second, I saw the light, but it was nice to pop out of the water and say, ‘Now, where’s my towel,’” he said.
With a donation to participate, the participants received a long sleeve shirt, custom mug and hot chocolate.
The event was sponsored by Interact Clubs from the Advanced Math and Science Academy, Marlborough High School and New England Innovation Academy.
The polar plunge was an opportunity for the teens who participated to start talking about polio, Vital said.
Eradicating polio is one of Rotary International’s causes. According to its website, the organization has been working towards this effort for over 35 years with its members contributing over $2.1 billion and numerous volunteer hours.
For more information on the work of the Marlborough Rotary Club, visit https://www.marlboroughrotary.org/.
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