Did you know that nearly 200 children within the Crestwood community suffer from food insecurity? Lucky for them, they can receive support from the Kids Weekend Meals (KWM) program, which provides children with breakfasts, lunches, and snacks on weekends and holiday breaks – times they don’t have access to free or reduced meals at school. But as food costs have increased the number or families who rely on this program, which was founded by Liz and Paul Meeker, have also increased. According to Pruszynski, two years ago the program assisted 49 families and roughly 115 children. Today, the program supports 83 families and nearly 200 children.
Annually, the year-long program requires $30,000 in funding to ensure that every family is served. In order to help meet the rising needs of the program, the Thanksgiving Plunge returns this year, event organizer Pete Pruszynski hopes to raise one-third of 2023 funding in just one day — Thanksgiving morning. “Go jump in a lake!” you might be thinking, and that’s exactly what they plan to do.
During COVID, Pruszynski was introduced to the idea of a Thanksgiving Plunge when his son Bryce, then a senior at Crestwood High School, held a similar event to raise funds for KWM as a Senior Seminar project. Three families participated that year – the Baynes, Pruszynski, and Delaney families. The goal of that inaugural plunge was to raise $5,000; that goal was exceeded by $300.
So far this year 10 teams plan to take the Thanksgiving Plunge, but Pruszynski noted, “there’s always room for more.” Teams making the plunge have been asked to solicit donations from family and friends. Local businesses have made matching donations, as well. “Thanksgiving is about counting blessings – and what a blessing it is to be able to support kids and families in our community.”
You may wonder who is crazy enough to take the holiday morning plunge. Nine-year-old fourth grader Troy Brugmann was one of the first to sign up, and he convinced his mom, Crestwood Primary teacher Cheryl Brugmann to join in, too. Conveniently for them, the fundraising event takes place at the lake at their family farm. Speaking of farms, Farmers National Bank’s Mantua Branch Manager Roberta Zuver, in addition to helping sponsor the event, has formed a team from her bank that will take a frigid dip that morning, too.
Crestwood Superintendent Dr. David Toth and the District’s Food Services Director Jennifer Hirsch will also take the plunge. Local Pastor Mike Major, along with Timmy Sommers and members of the Friendship Alliance Church youth group have formed a team to raise funds and make the jump. In addition, teams from both the Mantua Center and Hiram Christian Churches have teams ready to freeze for a reason.
The event takes place at Todd and Cheryl Brugmann’s Farm on Workman Road on Thanksgiving morning from 9 am until 10:30. As a precaution, paramedic Brandon Baynes and lifeguard Bryce Pruszynski will be onsite to offer assistance as needed. A blazing fire pit, as well as hot beverages will be waiting to warm plunge participants afterward.
To form a team or to help sponsor the event, contact Pete at (330) 607-4102. To make a donation to this worthy program, send a check made payable to Kids Weekend Meals, C/O Liz Meeker, 4317 Parkwood Avenue, Mantua, OH 44255. Kids Weekend Meals is a program organized by the Meekers and supported by a team of roughly 50 volunteers who regularly donate food, pick up supplies from local Food Pantries, plan, sort, count, pack, and deliver meals to local families. If you need more information or would like to volunteer, visit the Kids Weekend Meals page on Facebook and send a private message to the group.
