The 14th annual Olga Ezis Plunge for Hunger to benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen will take place at noon on Feb. 1 at Lauter Park in Willimantic.
Credit: Eastern Connecticut State University/Covenant Soup Kitchen
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. — Hundreds of community members wearing costumes will plunge into Willimantic’s frigid Natchaug River on Feb. 1 to raise money for the Covenant Soup Kitchen.
The 14th annual Olga Ezis Plunge for Hunger will take place that Saturday at noon at Lauter Park in Willimantic. Hundreds of local residents and students/staff from nearby Eastern Connecticut State University are set to take the plunge.
The event is sponsored by the ECSU men’s rugby club and led by coach Ray Aramini. Throughout its existence, the initiative has raised more than $1 million for the soup kitchen. The 2024 plunge raised $104,000, and Aramini says the goal is set at $100,000 again this year.
Credit: Eastern Connecticut State University/Covenant Soup Kitchen
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In a release, Aramini spoke fondly of the current rugby players and alumni who continue to participate in the plunge.
“They assuredly are the backbone and muscle that make this event go smoothly and have since the beginning,” Aramini said. “They come back year after year to support the Covenant Soup Kitchen and each other. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Credit: Eastern Connecticut State University/Covenant Soup Kitchen
The plunge has grown steadily in popularity each year since it was created. Now, numerous student organizations and a variety of other people participate, wearing costumes while jumping into the freezing river.
Costumes are not required, but donations are encouraged. Donations for the soup kitchen can be made on its website here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected].
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