Dear Editor,
I write my 88 sponsors, family, friends re the Save Georgian: Save the Bay Polar Dip, Fred Raper Park, Meaford the following: “I Freda Ariella Muscovitch, thank you all for connecting and supporting me on Save Georgian Bay’s: Save the Bay Polar Dip, International Polar Day. I am on the SGB Leadership Team/Board and had to show a good example… I always remember Rabbi Dow Marmur’s encouragement of me at the gestation stage of the Holy Blossom Temple, Out of the Cold: “Freda, if you do the leg work, it will work!!” Rabbi Marmur, it worked! I had a fish hut with a propane heater with most of the other 20some much younger dippers to change in heavenly warmth. We even had First Nation dippers from across my cottage (Christian Island), the awesome Tori Cress. The only concern was the undertow and ice floats that could dis-balance us. The East winds moved some of the ice from the shore of Georgian Bay by early morning as my friend the former Chief, Saugeen Ojibway Nation predicted and comforted me early morning. My dippers would not abide by advice of St. John’s Ambulance… They, the volunteers thought of everything and came prepared! A pick, shovel, and even a rope!
We raised $25,000 in a short time. I have never chaired a fundraising committee nor have I ever asked for sponsors. Needless to say with friends and family like you, I had 88 sponsors and raised the most money. The key was pampering my amazing volunteers and they built a campfire, hung banners, erected signs, opened Municipal permits, washrooms, called on media, live-streamed, lugged logs, kindling, made name tags, roasted 6 marshmallows on a stick and s’mores, broke ice with picks, created a path to the Bay, served hot tea, flew a drone to photo, guzzled hot chocolate, invited First Nation performer Jared Bigcanoe and his Shining Water Singers and they rocked! I dipped to the sound of a big drum and cheers from Bonnie Bloom (Bon Bon), Danny Robson, Noam, Neely, Ella, Chloe, friends and a crowd of environmentalists! We even cleaned the Park setting and stayed Green!! A real childhood camp spirit. I am so grateful and happy to be healthy and alive with you all. Nothing like advocating in front of my grandchildren, sons, daughters, families, devoted friends, and a couple of hundred SGB supporters.
Be well and keep in touch,
With appreciation and love,
Freda Ariella Muscovitch, Meaford
