Polar Bear Plunge raises money for antihunger programs

Bellefonte Area School District is known for winning the Cool School Challenge, and it’s because of faculty, staff and administrators who participate in the YMCA of Centre County’s Polar Bear Plunge that allow locals to jump is cold water for a lot of fun and help raise money for a good cause. BASD has claimed the title in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 after raising the most amount of money for the campaign. This year, at least five members of the district are taking the plunge in an effort to raise money for the YMCA’s antihunger programs, such as the Backpack Weekend Food Program that benefit students in the district.

Those participating are Marion-Walker Elementary School Principal Karen Krisch, third-grade teacher Jen Carroll, school counselor Ashley Hamilton, fifth-grade teacher Chris Cipro and elementary tech teacher Jena Jodon. The event was held at two locations:

-Black Moshannon State Park beach area: 4216 Beaver Road, Philipsburg
-Penns Creek at Grace United Church of Christ: 118 Two Steeples Lane, Spring Mills

The last time the event was held, more than $2,700 was raised, helping bring the Cool School Challenge title back to Bellefonte for the fourth time in five years. According to the YMCA, the Cool School Challenge is designed exclusively for school teams participating in the Polar Bear Plunge.