A freezing swim probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about something fun to do during the winter.
But that's exactly what several members of REFIT Sundre, a local fitness cardio class, did when they took part in Calgary's seventh annual Icebreaker Polar Dip on New Year's Day to raise funds and awareness for victims of the modern slave trade.
"I hate doing the Polar Dip. I hate being cold. I hate the thought of going under that dark, freezing water! However, I hate slavery even more," said Bergen resident Naomi H., project co-ordinator for the Servants Anonymous Foundation and third-time dipster.
"So if three seconds of terror and suffering can help raise awareness for women and children who live a life of terror and suffering, it is the very least I can do."
To kick off Human Trafficking Awareness Month, which is January, five other brave souls from the local fitness cardio class joined her at the annual Polar Dip to help raise awareness and support for the foundation's work in caring for survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, she said.
"It was one small gesture to help end the cruelty and suffering that should not even exist today," said Charlene Farrell, a member of REFIT.
"My husband and I went out of our comfort zones to raise awareness that slavery sadly does exist and to let people know about the SA Foundation and the great work they do," added Christel Shropshall, another REFIT member who did the dip.
"The water was shockingly refreshing!"
Noelle McGough, also a member of the group, had her reasons for taking the freezing plunge as well.
"I did this to let women and children who have been affected by sexual slavery know that they are cared for and that people are fighting for them," she said.
"I want them to know that there is a way out and that the SA Foundation is there to help them in sustainable ways. This should not exist today, but sadly it does. Many people are unaware of its existence and so the second reason I jumped was for people to understand it as a current and real issue. The more people who get angry about this issue, the better. I would do it again in a heartbeat."
The Polar Dip is a fun family event organized by the Old Guys in Action, a Calgary-based group of volunteers doing their part to ease suffering around the world. This year, 72 dipsters dipped in Calgary and seven distance dipsters dipped as far away as Dubai and Guatemala, helping to raise $50,000 for the foundation, said Naomi.
"This event is our annual reminder to folks that not only does slavery exist, it is a booming industry and more needs to be done to combat it," said Ross Weaver, co-founder of Old Guys in Action. An estimated 27-35 million people live in slavery today, and 80 per cent of those trafficked for slavery are women and half are children.
All funds raised support the foundation's long-term recovery programs in Nepal, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece and at home in Vancouver, B.C. Anyone who is so inclined can still donate at www.safoundation.com and click on "make a donation" under the "Quick Links" tab.
