by Tomi Thompson
thompsonto@mnstate.edu
Three Dragon football players have made the pledge to get cold and wet for a good cause.
Wide receiver Adam Jiskra, running back Zayne Medhaug and lineman Steve Schutz make up the three-man team representing MSUM football that will take part in the Creative Care for Reaching Independence Polar Plunge as a part of the Dakota Medical Foundation’s Giving Hearts Day.
The plunge will take place Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the CCRI parking lot in Moorhead.
MSUM Dragon mascot Scorch will also be at the event to cheer the polar plungers on.
The Dakota Medical Foundation started Giving Hearts Day in 2008. It is a one-day, online, virtual fund raising event giving back to participating charities in the region.
CCRI is a non-profit organization that strives to enhance and enrich the lives and learning of people with disabilities. They help their clients strengthen their daily living skills, participate in the community and live more independently. It has served the area for more than 30 years.
Participating polar-plunge teams are also collecting pledges on CCRI’s website. In addition, all funds raised will benefit CCRI.
Jiskra, Medhaug and Schutz view the opportunity as a chance to be able to give back to an organization that enhances the lives of others.
“CCRI is a great organization,” Jiskra said. “I think the event will be fun and it’s definitely for a good cause. I’m pretty excited about being a part of it.”
Even though Jiskra is a bit concerned about getting chilly, he is glad to be a part of the event.
“I’m a little nervous about how cold the water is going to be,” Jiskra said, “but I’m looking forward to the plunge and hanging out with everyone there.”
Medhaug says he’s participating in the plunge with hopes of raising money and spreading awareness for CCRI.
“CCRI is a great organization that has helped change the lives of many people,” Medhaug said.
For Schutz, the polar plunge is an opportunity to make an impact in the community beyond the football field.
“We try to take every opportunity to give back to the local community,” Schutz said, “We believe what we are doing here is a lot bigger than football, so if taking a polar plunge can help raise money for a great organization like CCRI, we are more than happy to help.”