What do most club volleyball players do on their one day off a week (Sunday)? Hang out with friends, go to the mall or maybe a movie. NOT!!! Two teams from Volley FX gave up their free time away from the court on Sunday, February 10th to raise money for a very worthy cause, the Special Olympics of New York. VFX players and coaches from MANTRA and CONJURE braved the icy waters of Lake Ontario in February to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge of 2008 at Charlotte Beach.

Team Mantra won 3rd place in the Costume contest dressed as pirates (they looked awesome), with Coach CJ Denk sporting a lovely dashing green Peter Pan outfit and assistant coach Christy Gustafson as Tinkerbell in her lovely neon green skirt and top complete with wings. Team Conjure, who won 2nd place in the costume contest dressed as witches (Conjure up a Spell for Special Olympics) were donned in witches noses, hats and t-shirts creatively decorated by the girls, while coaches Cindy D'Errico and Pat O'Hara wore decorated black capes. The girls and coaches sported cool torches made out of plungers and colorful crepe paper created by one of our wonderful parents.

Throughout the last few weeks there was a fierce competition between the 2 teams to see who could raise the most money and let's just say that the tenacity by both teams of players, coaches and parents paid off for the Special Olympics as $5,000 was raised between the two teams. For the girls, it was another wonderful way to spend time together, even though they were pretty cold after running out of 34 degree water into an air temperature of 10 degrees (wind chill). Most importantly the girls got to experience was it means to give back to others (Lifelong Lessons) and it was a time they will remember forever.

For more information concerning the Polar Plunge, visit the Polar Plunge website.

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