The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
When they say ‘chill for change,’ they mean it
Icy plunge will raise money to help kids get to summer camp
PORTLAND — It’s all for the kids.
The actions of a number of weather-be-darned hardy souls and their supporters could pay off in a big way for a group of young people this summer.
To accomplish that, on Feb. 20, teams of “chillers” will literally go jump in the lake to raise money for as many as 50 children to attend YMCA summer camp at Camp Ingersoll.
This is the seventh year the event has been held, said Ben Silliman, the Y’s youth and camp director.
A Portland native, Silli
man was instrumental in organizing the “Chill for Change” program.
It was patterned on the similar program in Southington “which was such a success,” Silliman said Thursday.
The goal is to raise sufficient of funds to allow 35-50 children to attend the summer camp, he said.
Silliman noted the benefit of the event amid economic strain on low-income families but, also on middle-income families.
Last year, they hoped to raise $14,000 – and wound up raising closer to $15,000.
This year, the goal is $15,000, Silliman said, with the hope it will allow 50 children to take part in the camp.
He is heartened by the total raised to date.
“Right now, we’re at $11,000 (then closer to $12,000 by late afternoon) and we still have a week to go,” he said.
The competition generally involves eight to 10 teams, and attracts 30-35 chillers and their supporters, spectators, and significant others.
The respective teams try to out-raise one another.
At a command from organizers the “chillers” leap into Job’s Pond. The event is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 20.
Ryan J. Curley, a former camper, camp counselor and chiller who also is the town clerk, said with the recent onslaught of winter weather, the organizers may have to break-up the ice in the pond before the competition can begin.
Jumping into a semifrozen lake was one of the items on Curley’s bucket list of goals.
He had done it and was ready to let other people experience the exhilaration.
But he was talked into returning to the “Chill for Change” by Portland Parks and Recreation Director Nate Foley.
Together, they formed their own team, “The Portland Plungers.”
While Curley has allowed himself to be lured back into Job’s Pond, this will be Foley’s first try at “chilling.”
Silliman said he spent a sizable portion of his youth at the camp, particularly on “family swim” evenings, so much so that he is re-introducing them.
Silliman also appreciates both the camp experience and the great facility they have.
The Middlesex Y draws from a wide swath of central Connecticut towns, including Cromwell, Durham, Glastonbury, and Middlefield, in addition to Middletown and Portland.
Silliman is anxious to share both the camp and the camp experience with today’s youth.
“I really want people to be exposed to that,” to meeting and living among people from beyond their usual circle of friends, he said.
“I really believe that’s one of the benefits of the camp,” he said.
To make the experience come true, Foley encouraged interested supporters to donate on-line at https://bit.ly/3a8uOtH.