A reason for the freezin'

While most people joked, laughed and stayed warm while standing atop the frozen water of Nelson Reservoir on Saturday, another group of folks were perhaps a little apprehensive, if not just as jovial, as they were about to become very wet and very cold in the very near future.

"As far as I know, this is the first Polar Plunge in Phillips County," said Jerry Benge as he helped contestants enter the event. "Polar Plunges have been taking off all over the state in bigger cities and so we figured why let them have all the fun and let's let people on the Hi-Line get wet."

While bystanders pointed, joked and had fun with the six soon-to-be swimmers, those six swimmers eyed a large hole cut into the reservoir's frozen surface (chunks as thick as 36-inches deep were removed by chainsaw the night before) and watched as the emergency crew – equipped with wetsuits and a few scuba tanks – readied for the event, Benge changing into an aloha-print shirt and deck shoes for his jump, Christian Simpson wearing even less for his.

"I have never done one of these," Simpson said, clad in just Bermuda shorts and shower shoes. Simpson works with his family at the nearby Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs and Resort and when he found out the Sleeping Buffalo was sponsoring a "plunger," he knew he was the man for the task.

"I am the only one crazy enough I guess," he added, saying he wasn't nervous and had been in nearly freezing water before. "Just another day at the office."

One by one, the plungers hit the water, shot to the surface quickly with wild looks on their faces. The only duo of the day – Thayne Mackey and Scott Meneely – were clad in red long johns (with the backsides buttoned up, thankfully,) ended up winning both the best costumes at the event and they also raised the most money.

As of Monday afternoon, The Malta-Glasgow Polar Plunge raised nearly $1,400 for Special Olympic Athletes, but that doesn't mean the fundraising for the event is over. If anyone reading this story would like to donate to the cause you can still do so by going to http://www.firstgiving.com/mtletr/malta-polar-plunge-2017 and clicking the "donate" button. The Plunge on Saturday was in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Torch Run held each year which is supported by Montana Police Protective Association (one of many organizations who help.)

Simpson, who was in the middle of "just another day at the office" said the dive was what he thought it would be.

"I am happy and warm," he said. "I might also be in shock. I will be back next year."