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MONTICELLO — It wasn’t as frigid as it could have been given the state’s bout with winter weather the week before, but the Polar Plunge held Feb. 15 in Monticello was still brisk enough to scare off the faint of heart. Among those running headlong into a pond on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Monticello were four youth from St. Mark Church.
“I like helping people,” said first-time plunger Mia Reginelli, 8. “This is a fun way to help.”
Some of the Catholic youth have plunged before, but this is the first time that the activity, benefitting Special Olympics, was coordinated through the church. Mistye Saffold, director of religious education, said the original idea came from the parish confirmation class, but it was soon opened up to all ages.
“This is actually my first time,” said third-grader Gabe Kuttenkuler. “I just want to have fun and just support people and raise money for them.”
Saffold, a Monticello native and special education teacher, said 15 young people collected pledges totaling more than $650. She said she hoped kids took several things away from the experience.
“Part of it is doing community service and that community service doesn’t always have to involve the church. It can involve just the community,” she said. “And part of it is being a good friend and being a good Samaritan doing for other people when you’re going to get nothing monetary out of it.”
Due to a rash of illness and some last-minute scheduling conflicts, only four youth actually plunged, but she and confirmation teacher Mandy Kuttenkuler have high hopes for the future.
“We’re a small church and everybody knows that being Catholic in Arkansas that there’s a small number of us,” Kuttenkuler said. “Service is something that is so hard for kids this age and in this area to really get a chance to do. This class is really determined. It’s a huge class, they’re good kids and they really realize that they can do a lot at their age to make a difference.
“As Catholics we have an obligation to make a difference. If they can start doing that now, what are they going to do in 10 years?”
Special Olympics Arkansas breaks the state into 17 areas and many of these also hold Polar Plunges as a fundraiser. This is the fifth year for Area 12, which includes eight southeastern counties, more than any other single area in the state. The event hosted 65 plungers and raised a combined $10,000 in pledges.
Leading up to the plunge itself, the Mardi Gras-themed St. Mark group spent time circulating through the crowd, passing out beads and chatting up local special Olympians who were the event’s guests of honor.
Andrew Saffold, 12, who plunged last year, said he wasn’t nervous about taking the dip in the muddy pond.
“It was windy and cold (last year), this year it’s a lot better,” he said. “Just try to go under as quick as you can and then get out.”
Baleigh Jackson, 14, plunged last year and, like Andrew, was happy to see the sun that morning. The Louisiana native said the desire to help people is what got her involved with the activity.
“As Catholics we like to serve people, we like to help people in the community,” she said, adding that she would recommend the activity for anyone considering it.
“It’s a great cause, we’re jumping for a great cause and so I would tell them to do it,” she said.
When the St. Mark team was announced, the four youngsters joined hands for a short run down a gentle incline to the water’s edge and launched themselves into the pond. They quickly found their feet and, all smiles, slogged to their waiting companions who wrapped them rosy-cheeked and shivering in towels as onlookers applauded.
Mistye Saffold said all of the kids who helped raise funds would get the chance to see the money at work firsthand later this spring. A 25-year volunteer with Special Olympics competitions, she is organizing the parish’s young people to volunteer at the Area 12 games in April.
“I hope they come away with the idea that although we’re all different we’re all alike,” she said. “They will learn more from the athletes than the athletes will learn from them. They’ll learn sportsmanship and just the goodwill feeling of how to get along with other people.
“Often, our kids see things as you got to win or you’re a loser, where the Special Olympics athletes are happy when they finish. So I want our kids to see that winning is not always everything.”
