Published on February 10, 2017
Hundreds of people, including members of the Eastern Connecticut State University campus community, took a dive into the cold waters of the Natchaug River on Feb. 4 to raise money for the Covenant Soup Kitchen. Many participants dressed in costumes as they stood on the river banks in 30 degree weather.
Eastern’s men’s club rugby team plays a big part in the plunge each year, making sure everyone is registered and all the logistics are set. “I am constantly humbled by what a group of young motivated people can do,” said volunteer coach Ray Aramini. “Being on the board for the soup kitchen for many years, you really see how much this fundraiser changes how we do things and how many individuals we can really feed.”
Rugby participants included current students and alumni. “This year alone we had 25 alumni and about 40 current players,” said Armani. The fundraiser will continue until mid-March and individuals can contribute to the plunge by making a pledge online or by mail to the soup kitchen.
Six years ago, the plunge was created to support Nick Fitzner and Patrick Scully’s Ride for Hunger, an event to raise money for the soup kitchen and the Connecticut Food Bank. Fitzner and Scully rode their bikes from Washington D.C to Willimantic during their spring break.
Written by Christine Rossomando
