On February 6th, 285 people participated in the 5th annual "Plunge for Hunger" event in Willimantic, Connecticut, organized by the Eastern Connecticut State University men's rugby team and the Covenant Soup Kitchen. The event involved plunging into the freezing waters of the Natchaug River to raise money for the soup kitchen. Last year the event raised over $102,000 with matching funds. This year's event is expected to raise over $100,000 to support the soup kitchen in providing food for those in need. The money raised helps take pressure off the soup kitchen and allows them to focus on their mission.

1. Hundreds Take the Plunge For a Good Cause
On Saturday February 6th at noon the men’s rugby team co-hosted an event
with the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic, Connecticut. The team partook in
their 5th annual “Plunge for Hunger” to benefit the soup kitchen at Lauter Park with
temperatures in the mid 50s. This just a day before the area was hit with a decent
size snowstorm. Last years event got to experience a little snow fall, this year some
would say it wasn’t bad, unless you were the one going in the freezing waters. With
the help of a snow blower and half a dozen Eastern Rugby members they shoveled
the snow off the beach in order for the scene to be ready the next day. Some of the
players were shoveling the snow even into the Natchaug River; some thought it
would be best to chill the water even more.
It was quite the event with the help of countless number of volunteers and
bystanders looking on to cheer on the plungers. Eastern Connecticut State
University’s President Elsa Nuñez was one of plenty on hand for the event. Steve
Nelson, advisor of ECSU Rugby, Chris D’Ambrosio, ECSU Woman’s Soccer Coach,
Scott Smith aka “Smitty”, ECSU Sports Equipment Manager, and ECSU Rugby coaches
Joe Pardee and Ray Aramini were only some of the countless number of volunteers
and bystanders in attendance. The Assistant Coach of the Eastern Rugby team and
Covenant Soup Kitchen board member Ray Aramini who has volunteered to put on
this event for the past 5 years has only seen it grow, “It started with 27 plungers the
first year, mostly rugby players, and now 285 plungers took part in this years
plunge. The first year $2,500 was raised compared to being on the cusp of over

2. $100,000 this year.” Plungers from all ages participated in the event raising money
expecting to be north of $100,000, and possibly exceeding last years record.
The Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation will be matching every donation
dollar by dollar up to $50,000. Last year the team was able to raise over $50,000,
which was matched by the foundation bringing the total to $102,000 dollars. It will
be a tremendous help for the Soup Kitchen, which all the proceeds will go towards.
The estimated amount of money raised would supply food for a year to the soup
kitchen. The money given takes pressure off the soup kitchen and allows for more of
a comfort to the ones in charge like Kimberly Clark, the acting director of the
Covenant Soup Kitchen.
This year about one hundred plungers and brave souls took part in the
plunge. Local residents, eastern students, past and present Eastern Rugby players,
and others just to name a few all came out to show support. Just like last year about
300 plungers in total with ages ranging from 4- 76 all participated.
It was also the first year that people received pre-printed “Plunge for
Hunger” purple bracelets, which reads, “2016- Plunge for Hunger”.
As a first year member of the Eastern Men’s Rugby team I had a great time
and experience in the “Plunge for Hunger” event. I have met a lot of wonderful
people and I look forward to participating in this event again and others in the
future. Doing great things like this is great for the community and I enjoy every
minute of it.
For photos of the plunge and the article you can go to norwichbulletin.com
and to donate you can visit the soup kitchen website at covenantsoupkitchen.org.

3. Donations are still being accepted for a couple more weeks and a number will
be officially announced hopefully on the first of March.
Members of the ESCU Men’s Rugby team past and present
Members of the ECSU Men’s Rugby team posingwith ESCU President Elsa
Nuñez

4. Plungers sprintingout of the water only seconds after
braving the freezing temperatures