U of L students chill for charity
The University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon Business Student Association raised funds for the United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta through their annual Chillin’ 4 Charity event Tuesday.
The event featured a variety of activities, including a cool swimming pool, an ice bath and a hot tub for participants to enjoy while taking part of the chilling event.
President of the DBSA Takreem Ghouri said at the beginning of the event she was happy to bring it back to campus this year.
“This event mainly is to get our community together and to engage students on campus because specially around this time we’re having a lot of exams, a lot of assignments,” said Ghouri.
She said the event provides an opportunity for students to stop in the midst of their busy schedules to jump in the cold water, donate and feel like they are doing something for their community.
“To feel like they are part of a community because especially around this time you feel that you’re on your own, you’re a student and you’re struggling due to stress and all of that,” said Ghouri.
Ghouri said she believes the event to be a good stopping point in the middle of their day to relax, have fun and raise funds for United Way.
“We have an ice bath challenge on this year, there’s a minimum amount to donate, about $10 to enter that challenge, but then you have to try to stay in the ice bath for as long as you can,” said Ghouri.
She said they would be keeping track of the challenge participants with a scoreboard and at the end the top three would win cash prices.
“The first one gets about a $50 cheque, the second one gets $30, the third one gets $20 and the first one also gets a trophy that’s donated by United Way,” said Ghouri.
The first participant to take a cold plunge for charity was Clay Bryden, who not only jumped in the cold pool, but also took part of the ice challenge and remained in it for five minutes and five seconds.
“I know it’s for a very good cause and there’s a competition. I would like the trophy if I could win it and on top of that 50 bucks is 50 bucks,” said Bryden while sitting in the ice bath.
Ghouri said they had a goal of $5,000 for this year’s event but she knew anything they were able to raise would be of help to United Way.
“I’m pretty sure anything that we can do to raise for them would be great. 100 per cent will go to them, any gift that we are giving out that’s coming out of our own funding, we’re not taking out of the donation,” said Ghouri.
Executive director of United Way Lethbridge & South Western Alberta,
Jaci Zalesak echoed Ghouri’s words by saying every year they have been able to raise money and every penny counts.
“We’ve raised as much as $20,000 and as little as a couple of thousands, just depending on weather, time of year, all of those kinds of things. We’re happy to receive whatever kind of funds that we raise, we’re very thankful,” said Zalesak.