Community Corner

East Windsor Panther Plunge to Take Place Saturday

No real panthers will be plunging, but some 40 to 50 people will to support the East Windsor Food and Fuel Bank.

The 4th annual Panther Plunge is a bit of a misnomer.

Indeed, no real panthers are actually being thrown into the frigid pond at East Windsor Park this Saturday, March 16.

At least so says Melissa Maltese, the director of the East Windsor Parks and Recreation.

“I don’t know if there will be an actual panther,” Maltese said while laughing. “But there will be high school students who are plunging [East Windsor High’s nickname is the Panthers], so we will count them as panthers.”

But Maltese said that the reason behind the Panther Plunge was no laughing matter.

The event, created four years ago, is a fundraiser for the East Windsor Food and Fuel Bank, which, among other things, provides assistance to families that need help to heat their homes during the winter, Maltese said.

Betsy Burns, the town’s human services director, and Maltese came up with the idea of the Panther Plunge to help raise money after federal and state assistance began to wane due to the economic downturn.

So far, the event has raised over $10,000 since it started, Maltese said.

This year’s sponsors are the Windsor Federal Savings Bank and www.eastwindsorchamber.com.

The cost to plunge is $40, with a $5 car donation for people who attending as spectators, Maltese said, adding that she expects about 40 to 50 plungers. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., with the event set to start at 1 p.m. Participants will receive a Panther Plunge T-Shirt.

The goal, Maltese said, is to raise $2,500 this year.

“We know the economy is tight, and business sponsorships are down, but we are hoping East Windsor will support their neighbors and come out,” Maltese said.

As an added incentive, Maltese said that if East Windsor businesses donate over $1,000, Selectman and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Richards will plunge.

In a Patch exclusive, First Selectman Denise Menard said that she, too, will be jumping into the pond.

“Oh no. You are not going to make me plunge,” Menard said, disputing the Patch exclusive. “But it’s certainly for a good cause. With fuel prices so high this year and so many in need, we’ll be there for certain.”


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