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. <