Editor,

What a wonderful town we live and work in. As chairperson for our sixth annual Freezin’ for a Reason, I had the pleasure of working with some of the most professional, hard working people in this area.

Freezin’ for a Reason was held Saturday at Highland Beach in Bridgton. All proceeds from this event, for those who are not aware, benefit Harvest Hills Animal Shelter on Route 302 in Fryeburg. It was apparent from the beginning that this would be relatively smooth sailing when it came to willing and able volunteers. Not one person denied us help and support.

The Bridgton Public Works Department, and in particular Jim Kidder are great in preparing the beach and cutting the hole in several inches of ice. This is not a small hole in the ice; it’s the size of a swimming pool! We can’t thank our “Ice Men” enough.

The Bridgton Fire Department and Dive Team are crucial to making this event happen. From start to finish these people are so professional and hard working and just a pleasure to work with. I’m sure many that day heard me refer to them as a “well oiled machine.” Just a few of their tasks are: keeping the ice from freezing over, offering the use of, and setting up their hazmat tent for our changing rooms and providing heat; offering heated the water to fill the two hot tubs, staying in the water during the dip to keep our jumpers safe, and generally offering any kind of

help that came up during the day.

Mike McClellan of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce was a huge such a help to us in so many ways. The Mushers Bowl Committee, as in years past has offered us help in promotion and Mike did a great job this year as our guest emcee.

Freezin’ for a Reason is unique in that our sponsors also offer their time as

volunteers. The ladies from Key Bank helped with registration, McBurnie Oil/Country

gas helped with installing pumps to keep the water circulating, Importech of North

Conway’s owner Jason Strech raised the most money as an individual and jumped in the lake. Good Livin Home Improvement of New Hampshire helped guide “Harvey” at the beach and Paris Farmers Union sponsored us again this year.

Our sincere thanks also go to Softubs of North Conway (some jumpers would show up without them!), WMWV Magic 93.5, Downeast Engraving, Maine Street Graphics, Cardinal Printing and Mallory L. as ‘Harvey’. We are so grateful to all of our volunteers, jumpers and those who sponsored them. Without you we could not support our mission to take such good care of all the cats and dogs that pass through our doors.

Robin Legere and Joan McBurnie of the Freezin’ for a Reason committee, and the Board of Directors and staff of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter