Charity-minded Ottawa residents with a high tolerance for low temperatures are about to get their chance to contribute to a good cause.
From early Friday evening until late Sunday afternoon, volunteer fundraisers will be submerging themselves in ice cold water to raise funds for the Centretown Community Health Centre and Centre 507 to help combat the growing demand for winter support services in the city.
A part of Winterlude, the inaugural Centretown Cold Plunge has invited participants to make a pledge to plunge for one, two or three minutes. The fundraiser is being held at the Uncommon event space in Snider Plaza, 140 Bank St. between Slater Street and Laurier Avenue.
There will be saunas for participants to warm up in after, as well as smores, drinks, a DJ and more to entertain spectators.
The event was created by the Centretown BIA. “It is just a way to get people to come out and be a part of something greater than themselves,” said BIA executive director Sabrina Lemay.
Lemay added that the event was developed to help confront the housing and homelessness crisis in Ottawa. According to the City of Ottawa’s latest point in time count in October, 2,952 people reported experiencing homelessness in Ottawa.
“This is directly impacting Centretown itself,” said Lemay, adding that funds raised from the plunge are “going to be put into programs that help exactly what we see in problem areas.”
Lemay said important programs helping the unhoused in Ottawa’s downtown core are offered by CCHC and Centre 507.
Caroline Cox, director of mental health and addiction at the CCHC, said the centre is grateful to be chosen to receive some of the funds raised.
The CCHC, in 2023-2024, provided primary and wraparound health care for over 5,100 unique individuals, said Cox, pointing to the centre’s latest annual report. During the frigid temperatures so far in January and February after two consecutive milder winters in Ottawa, there has been an increase in the number of people in need, Cox said.
Cox said colder weather creates challenges. “In some respects, that’s nice. We can get out on the canal, we can get out on our skis. But it’s also recognizing certain people in our community, that’s a real point of vulnerability for them.”
Cox noted that funds raised will directly support the CCHC in providing sleeping bags and warm clothes, which have been in higher demand than usual this season.
Cox added that CCHC staff members, including CEO Michelle Hurtubise, will be among those taking the plunge.
The team or individual who raises the most funds will also walk away with a free Sauna Starter Package worth nearly $2,300 from Submerge, a sponsoring partner of the event. The Ottawa company sells portable saunas and water tubs and will be providing the plunging supplies for the event.
“The whole point is to create a really nice Winterlude, wintry vibe and do some good in the community at the same time,” said Submerge founder Tarik Hassan. He said he was approached by the Centretown BIA about partnering in this event and that he “couldn’t say no.”
“I’ve always known that there’s been a problem and if I have the means to be able to provide any help, then I feel like it’s my responsibility to do so,” said Hassan.
Submerge is a business dedicated, he noted, to improving people’s mental health and wellbeing. “We’re here to create accessibility and we’re here to give people the tools to improve their lives. So if I’m able to provide anything to help this cause, then why not?”
Spectators will be able make donations to the centres using a QR code that will be displayed at Uncommon. Lemay said they are looking for minimum donations of $200 but people are free to give whatever they can.
Registration will be open until the day of the event, and everyone is welcome to come out to participate or watch, said Lemay.
The event takes place from Friday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. to Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3:55 p.m.
