MIFFLIN – When Chad Schrack’s wife was diagnosed with colon cancer in February 2006, he wanted to do something to help. That desire turned into an annual tradition that sees hundreds of people jumping into a frigid lake on New Year’s Day.

This year’s dip, the 11th Annual Polar Bear Dip Cold For the Cure, will start at 3 p.m. Sunday at Charles Mill Lake.

“Our main goal of doing this, the money’s great, but we’re really trying to raise awareness for people who are battling cancer. It’s kind of an outside-of-the-box thing to do but we’re trying,” Schrack said. “Jumping in a lake for 30 seconds is nothing compared to being in a chemo chair for eight hours at a time. It’s nothing. But we’ll do what we can to try to help.”

The forecast for New Year’s Day is calling for high temperatures in the upper 30s with no rain or wind.

“That’s actually about perfect for a polar dip,” Schrack said.

Weather can make a big difference in attendance, and also returning dippers in future years. He remembered the year with the highest attendance – about 225 – when the temperatures were in the upper 50s.

“That kind of doesn’t feel like a polar bear dip,” Schrack said.

At the other extreme, Schrack recalled a year when the temperatures were in the 20s with 40 mile per hour winds.

“Not many people came back after that year. That one was a tough one,” Schrack said.

Schrack said attendance was a little lower than normal for last year’s event – a fact he attributed to Ohio State and other college football games taking place during the event – but the event still raised more money than ever, $8,060.

Donations from the event are split between the American Cancer Society and Fight Colorectal Cancer. Registration is not required and the event is free. Anyone donating more than $20 gets a free t-shirt.

“We want it to be open so anyone can do it,” Schrack said.

Dippers take part for many reasons, but Schrack said a large number of them are cancer survivors or family members of someone affected by cancer.

“Whole families of six, seven or eight people will wear t-shirts saying ‘In memory of dad’ or with their name. It’s sad but that’s the reality of it,” Schrack said.

The first year of the event, Schrack said there were about 35 or 40 people there, nearly all family and friends who Schrack had “badgered” into attending.

“Now out of 200 people, I’ll be lucky to know 20 people, which is great,” Schrack said. “The response from the community has been great.”

Another change Schrack has seen over the past decade is the number of spectators who watch the event.

“If we get 200 people jump in, probably four or five hundred people will watch, which is great,” Schrack said.

Schrack said he’s seen some crazy costumes over the years and encourages anyone to wear a costume.

Members of the Mifflin Community Volunteer Fire Department and Ashland County Dive Team will stand by to assist with any issues that arise.

Dippers under the age of 18 need a parent or guardian present.

Schrack recommends that all participants wear footwear to protect their feet, something many first-timers don’t know. He also said that it’s better for dippers to wear less clothes, as bulky or layered clothes collect the icy water, making dippers even colder.

“So you’re actually better with just swim trunks or a bathing suit,” Schrack said.

He also encouraged people to get there early so they can park close to the lake.