A small but determined group of cold-water volunteers helped ring in the new year in Gimli with a splash — literally — during the community’s first Polar Plunge fundraiser on New Year’s Day.
The Gunnink family of Dugald made the trip to Gimli specifically for the Polar Plunge fundraiser. Pictured left to right are Randy Gunnink, Kennedy Gunnink, Nathan, Paige Gunnink and organizer Don Hawryshko
Organized by Don Hawryshko, the event saw five participants take turns plunging into the icy waters of Lake Winnipeg to raise money for Evergreen Basic Needs (EBN), the local food bank. While modest in size, the fundraiser drew attention both on site and online and is already being eyed as a potential annual event.
Hawryshko said the idea grew from a personal desire to volunteer locally and support a cause he sees as increasingly important.
“I’ve never really volunteered before, but I see the need for the food bank over and over again,” he said. “I live half a block away and stop in frequently. There really is a need, and I wanted to pick something that mattered.”
After searching online for Polar Plunge events elsewhere, Hawryshko decided to organize one himself in Gimli, choosing Lake Winnipeg to keep the experience authentic.
“I wanted to jump in the lake and do it the way you should do it — an authentic polar plunge,” he said. “I’ve seen some where people dump buckets of water in a parking lot and they raise money, but this is different. You see the frozen lake; you see the hole cut in the ice. That was my vision.”
The plunge took place on the frozen lake surface, where Hawryshko carefully cut and secured a hole measuring roughly seven feet by four feet. Ice thickness was measured at about 16 inches, with a sandy bottom and water depth of approximately three-and-a-half to four feet.
Safety, Hawryshko said, was his biggest concern.
“There’s a lot of anxiety when you do something like this,” he said. “People don’t always think about the risks — frostbite, hypothermia. I took a lot of precautions.”
Participants entered one at a time from the edge of the hole and remained in control throughout, Hawryshko said, either dunking fully or climbing immediately back out using a ladder. An emergency room nurse and a firefighter were also on site, and participants signed waivers to limit liability.
“I didn’t want anyone jumping into water over their head or slipping under the ice,” he said. “Everyone sat on the edge, went in under control, then climbed out.”
Hawryshko admitted he expected the event might be a solo effort.
“I’m horrible at promoting stuff,” he said with a laugh. “I put it on Facebook and Meanwhile in Gimli, talked to a few people, but I honestly thought it was going to be just me. I figured even if it brought in a few bucks for the food bank, it would be worth it.”
Instead, friends, family members and onlookers gathered at the lakeshore, cheering on each participant. Two young girls who took part surprised Hawryshko when the water reached their necks, though he said everyone handled the cold well.
“I had their dad go first,” he said. “Everyone went individually, and everyone was able to manage it.”
Despite his nerves beforehand, Hawryshko said the experience turned out to be more rewarding than he expected.
“After I went in and warmed up, it was just entertaining,” he said. “Watching other people, seeing the excitement — it was fun. I got so much more out of it than I anticipated.”
Evergreen Basic Needs executive director Karen Bowman said the fundraiser was especially meaningful as demand for services continues to rise.
“The support from Gimli’s Polar Plunge is very special to us,” Bowman said. “It means people recognize and value the work we do, and that when they think of a new event, they think of us as a worthy cause.”
Bowman said the funds raised covered the cost of one complete Christmas Hamper or 10 new toys for the organization’s Toy Shopping Day.
“With our numbers increasing significantly this year, every donation that helps mitigate that cost is very much appreciated,” she said.
Hawryshko chose Jan. 1 as the event date to symbolize a fresh start.
“It’s the beginning of a new year,” he said. “It’s opening the door to something new, and EBN needs help to kick off the year.”
With interest already building, Hawryshko said he would like to see the Polar Plunge return in 2027, potentially with more participants and an even larger hole in the ice.
“It’s a learning curve,” he said. “Now I know what it feels like. Next year I’d encourage people differently, maybe cut a bigger hole, and hopefully get more people involved.”
Bowman said Evergreen Basic Needs would support the effort again if it returns.
“If Don decides to do it again next year, EBN will be there to help in whatever way we can,” she said.
