111 set new Freezin’ mark

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

Sunshine, warmer weather and gumption contributed to a record-breaking number of jumpers braving Highland Lake to raise $29,500 for the local animal shelter.

“The record we broke is the number of jumpers. This year was the most jumpers we’ve ever had. There were a lot of people in big groups. There were 111 jumpers,” according to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter (HHAS) Executive Director Joan McBurnie.

“We had a lot of new people. We had a great balance of some alumni who came out and knew what they were doing. We had these amazing people, who in the last week before the event, raised lots of money,” she said.

McBurnie weighed in on this year’s Freezing for a Reason fundraiser, which took place Saturday while temperatures rose to the upper 30s and lower 40s.

“The weather was good. I honestly think that is why we had more jumpers. When we started the preregistration, it was during the Arctic blasts. Hardly anyone signed up. The day of the jump, the number of jumpers doubled with the people who registered at the last minute,” she said.

“We still had a line of people to register at 12:30 p.m. (The jump starts at 1 p.m.) Luckily, we got everyone in because the chamber was so wonderful and they don’t care. They said, ‘Basically, take their money and sign them up. We can push back the times on everything,’” McBurnie said.

“At 12:15 p.m., it didn’t look like we were going to start on time. But I have amazing volunteers who really pulled it off. We launched at 1 p.m.,” she said.

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Chamber of Commerce hosts the Winter Carnival, which for years has taken place on the same day as Freezing. The Freezing fundraiser brought in $29,500 so far.

FREEZIN’ MARK, Page 3A