Polar Plunge or Spring Soak? Chamber event boosts ‘Feed the Need’

By Kira Pilot

On Saturday, April 19, roughly 30 community members and their sponsors gathered at the sunny lakefront on Saint Joseph’s College campus in Standish to raise money for hungry neighbors.

A mother and son team of Lisa and Sean
Deane of Windham is in costume and ready
to wade into Sebago Lake during the George
Bartlett Polar Plunge at Saint Joseph's
College on April 19. More than 32 people
took a dip in the lake to help raise money
for the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of
Commerce's 'Feed the Need' initiative which 
supports 11 different food pantries in the 
Lakes Region. PHOTO BY KIRA PILOT

Amber Rankine, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, sounded the countdown at 11:55 a.m. by exclaiming “Five minutes to the plunge.”

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce may have billed this event as a “Polar Plunge” but Saturday’s noon temperature – almost 70 degrees – had several participants joking about a rebranding as they cast anticipatory glances at the yet undisturbed waters of Sebago Lake.

Rankine explained that 100 percent of the proceeds from the day's event would be donated to the Feed the Need charitable trust.

“Feed the Need is our ending hunger campaign, and we give funds to all 11 food pantries that are in the Sebago Lakes Chamber region. And it’s not just food. Some people need things like toiletries or diapers or formula,” she said. “The funds go directly to the pantries. We don’t purchase anything for them. We just let them do what they need to as far as taking care of their community goes.”

She hoped to collect about $1,000 from the event but said that any amount raised was sure to help, especially given the current economy and recent federal cuts. Research done by the national nonprofit organization Feeding America shows that food insecurity affects one in eight Mainers. Inclusive in that number are roughly 45,000 children.

The concept of the Polar Plunge was simple: participants registered for the plunge, raised money through sponsorships, and committed to jumping in the lake at midday. Some folks arrived costumed, most notably, the mother-son team of Lisa and Sean Deane of Windham, who showed up dressed as Disney’s Ursula, and rock legend Elvis. To help participants warm themselves, local business Too Haute Saunas provided portable saunas which had frequent use throughout the day as plungers emerged from Sebago Lake. Face painting, a food truck, lawn games, and an egg hunt were also part of the event.

Despite the amenities and the warm weather, participants understood the spring thaw has not yet warmed the depths of Sebago Lake.

John Daniels and his 13-year-old son Isaiah have participated in several past plunges hosted by various organizations, however, both voiced good-natured trepidation as the noon hour approached, and estimated the water temperature to be around 33 degrees. Despite reservations, the duo eventually took the plunge without hesitation.

“This is a good cause, and we want to help out,” said Daniels, who works at Edward Jones in Windham and solicited sponsorship from his colleagues, some in attendance.

Misty Coolidge of the Coolidge Family Farm in New Gloucester detailed her motivation for attending the event as she watched her three children, Caden, Eva, and Grace, gleefully make the jump.

“I am Mrs. New England and my platform for over 20 years has been fighting hunger,” Coolidge said. “As a member of the Chamber, I love that they have the Feed the Need cause. I try to go to all their events because this need is so important.”

She drew attention to the success of the Feed the Need program outside of this singular event. Just this last year, the Chamber donated $20,000 to food pantry directors in need of assistance.

“I wish there were hundreds of people here,” Coolidge said.

Before the day was over, Marcel Vachon, a member of the Chamber Board, took a few moments to recognize the media sponsors who helped make the event possible: Too Haute Saunas, Androscoggin Bank, J. Priest Insurance, as well as Paul’s Boutique who provided T-shirts for plungers. He also thanked St. Joseph’s College for hosting the event.

Lindsay Drumm, who manages corporate partnerships at the college, believes hosting such an event made sense for Saint Joseph’s.

“We really like to give back to the community however we can and sharing this beautiful spot we have on Sebago Lake,” Drumm said. “It’s for a good cause – Feed the Need – and it really aligns with the mission of the college.”

And as for the plunge itself? Not too bad, agreed the refreshed participants, wading back out to the shore after the initial shock of immersion. Flashing a bright smile, a young girl exclaimed “I want to do it again.”

The receiving food pantries are Casco Village Church Food Pantry, Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry, Gray Community Food Pantry, Crosswalk Community Outreach, Naples Community Resource Council, First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, Raymond Food Pantry, Sebago Warming Hut, Standish Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry, and Windham Food Pantry.

Donations to Feed the Need can be made directly on the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber’s website: https://www.sebagolakeschamber.com/feed-the-need/ <

Chamber preparing for ‘Polar Plunge for a Purpose’ in April

By Ed Pierce

It’s a new event at new location, but the bottom line is that it’s same goal to raise money for “Feed the Need” in helping food pantries across the Lakes Region of Maine.

The 2025 'Polar Plunge for a Purpose,' sponsored by the
Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, will be
held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at Saint
Joseph's College with proceeds to benefit 'Feed the Need'
which helps 11 food pantries in the Lakes Region.
COURTESY PHOTO 

After postponing the annual Polar Dip at Raymond Beach in February, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has announced it will host the Sebago Lakes Region Annual Polar Plunge next month at Saint Joseph’s College and is actively seeking plungers willing to brave the chilly springtime waters of Sebago Lake for a good cause. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Joseph’s College on Saturday, April 19

According to Amber Rankine, the chamber’s President and Executive Director, the new location will hopefully induce more participation from students at the school and the community.

“Dive into the icy waters for a great cause and help support our charitable trust, Feed the Need,” Rankine said. “This exhilarating event promises fun for the whole family and an opportunity to make a difference in our community. We are hoping for more participation due to the warmer weather of mid-April as well as not having to jump through an ice hole but rather running in and out from shore.”

She said that the event will be held in memory of the late George Bartlett, who was a Sebago Lake Rotary Club and Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce member for more than 30 years and worked with the Maine Children’s Cancer Network to start the Polar Dip event as part of the annual Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

When interest in the Polar Dip waned after many years, Bartlett approached the chamber in 2021 wanting to restart the Polar Dip event as a fundraiser for “Feed the Need.”

Bartlett passed away unexpectantly in 2023, but the revived Polar Dip and now the Polar Plunge assists 11 different food pantries throughout the year.

The receiving food pantries are Casco Village Church Food Pantry, Casco Alliance Church Food Pantry, Gray Community Food Pantry, Crosswalk Community Outreach, Naples Community Resource Council, First Congregational Church in New Gloucester, Raymond Food Pantry, Sebago Warming Hut, Standish Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry and Town of Windham Food Pantry.

In the spring of 2016, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Charitable Trust was established to raise awareness of the food insecurity in the region and to donate funds to the local food pantries who support this growing need. The initiative is called “Feed the Need” and the trust raises funds throughout the year via grants, generous donations, and events such as the “Polar Plunge for a Purpose.”

“Brave the cold and take the plunge in your favorite costume,” Rankine said. “Sign up as an individual or gather your friends to create a team. Costumes are encouraged to add to the fun.”

Along with the plungers, the public can attend the event to cheer on their favorite teams and enjoy great food from local food trucks on hand for the occasion. There will also be creative face painting for all ages and music and entertainment for the entire family.

For those who choose to plunge into Sebago Lake that day, portable saunas will be available from Too Haute Saunas for participants to warm up after their excursion into the lake.

Participants can sign up as an individual or form a plunging team and early registration is recommended.

Rankine said that prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed plungers and that Emergency Medical Services crews will attend for participant safety.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to have some fun, meet new people, and support a worthy cause,” she said. “Whether you’re taking the plunge or cheering from the sidelines, your participation makes a difference.”

To learn more details about the “Polar Plunge for a Purpose” or to register, call the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-892-8265 or visit https://www.sebagolakeschamber.com/

Donations may also be given directly for “Feed the Need” on the chamber’s website. <

New leader settles in at Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce

By Ed Pierce

An experienced leader will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

Amber Rankine is the new President and CEO of the Sebago
Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. She formerly led the 
Greater Fort Kent Area Regional Chamber of Commerce.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

Amber Rankine started in her new position in Windham earlier this week and she succeeds Robin Mullins in leadership role of the chamber.

“With a robust background in regional economic development, she previously served as the Executive Director at the Greater Fort Kent Area Regional Chamber of Commerce,” said Jonathan Priest, chair of the SLRCC Board of Directors. “Amber brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to community growth.”

Priest said that Rankine is eager to build new relationships in the community and is hoping to make a positive difference locally through her work with the chamber.

“She is eager to collaborate with local businesses and stakeholders to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the Sebago Lakes Region,” he said. “Please stop in at the chamber and introduce yourself to her at any time.”

As President and CEO of the chamber, Rankine will work in collaboration with the SLRCC’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for all facets of the organization’s performance. Her primary objectives include implementing strategic initiatives to promote the economic prosperity of the Sebago Lakes Region through promoting, marketing, and advocating for the interests of the membership, developing a strong membership base, and supervising all Chamber of Commerce staff.

“Sebago Lakes Region has always been my happy place,” Rankine said. “From the time I could walk we gathered here every summer as a family to visit a camp on Watchic Lake. Since then, most of my immediate family has all migrated to the area and my family has had a desire to live and thrive in the area alongside of them.”

Rankine said that her goal in this new role will be to become a positive support for business and community engagement and to bring to the two together collaboratively.

“In order to do this job well it is imperative to have a good knowledge of the businesses and the community as a whole, so I have a lot of learning to do to get to that point,” she said. “I most look forward to the growth and learning this opportunity will afford me as well as the unique offerings I can bring to it.”

She was born and raised in Eagle Lake, Maine and attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Married and the mother of three children, Rankine said her family is so excited about this transition to living in the Lakes Region.

“My husband has always been a super supportive man and has been able to thrive in any location he desires,” she said. “My children are ready and excited about the amazing opportunities a place like the Sebago Lakes Region can afford them.”

According to Rankine, her previous work with the Greater Fort Kent Area Regional Chamber of Commerce was a rewarding experience.

“My previous chamber and its board grew and thrived substantially in comparison to previous years,” she said. “Opportunities to transition and grow were presented and with the right mindset and a committed board they will undoubtedly continue to do so.”

In her new position with the SLRCC, Rankine says she is bringing new ideas and a new perspective to the organization.

“I hope to shed a different light and outlook on the chamber,” she said. “Different paths and pasts can present some wonderful insight into corporations to help create a broader scope and deeper delve into what is already working well or could potentially need improvement, especially when working effectively with a strong source of knowledge and history like the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber Board and its current director have.”

Thus far she’s been learning as much as possible about the towns and villages that the SLRCC serves and the chamber itself to be able to work effectively as the holiday season nears for the local business community.

“I truly hope to learn the culture, area, and background enough to make a difference and be a solid support to them moving forward,” Rankine said. <