Wearing everything from wet suits to Hawaiian shirts, the 5th annual Freeze for Diabetes started out with a splash with around 15 people jumping into the frigid waters of the Shoshone River.

To raise money and awareness of juvenile diabetes, many people spent their first morning of the new year braving the chilly temperatures of about 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Throwing yourself into ice cold water isn’t a typical way to start off a new year… “But if you’re going to do something stupid, make sure you’re doing it for a good cause,” Cody resident Zach Warner said.

Warner was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 6 years old; he’s been a diabetic for almost 34 years.

“This is a pretty important cause for me personally,” he said.

According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have Type 1 diabetes. This illness may affect people close to you as well. In fact, Freeze for Diabetes was originated by Luke Anderson, whose son is a Type 1 diabetic.

Other Powell residents, such as Casey Schatz, were participating in Freeze for Diabetes for loved ones.

“I decided to do it in honor of my niece,” Schatz said. “I know she and others suffer. I feel that raising money for a cure or technology improvements is very important.”

The event raised about $2,200 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, according to the Freeze for Diabetes Cody Facebook page.

“In terms of money, every little bit that we can contribute brings us that much closer to improved treatment and hopefully someday soon, a cure,” Warner said. “As quickly as tech is changing and benefiting people with chronic illnesses, it’s amazing to see how far treatment has come since I was diagnosed.”

This determination to help find a cure was the motivation behind these plungers as they lined up side by side to brave the cold waters.

“I would describe the experience as insanely cold. There’s really no chance to get used to any part of it,” Warner said. “Once you’re in the water, you’re thinking about getting out. Then once you’re out, you’re thinking about getting into warm, dry clothes.”

Added Schatz: “I thought it was a great event, getting cold wasn’t as bad as I expected.”

It’s recommended to anyone interested to attend next year. Any updates and details on the event for next year will be put on the Freeze for Diabetes Cody Facebook page.

“I definitely want to do it again,” Schatz said.

Added Warner: “I would absolutely do it again. I would [like to] challenge anybody that thinks they’re tough enough to join me next year.”

Next year’s event will most likely take place earlier in the year so the temperatures will be a bit higher for the plungers.