Chilly polar plunge raises community fun and funds

Hailey and Brandon Pounder present $1,000 cheques to both the PECMH Foundation (Shannon Coull) and the Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association (Dave McFaul (centre), Matt Dwight, David Searle and Scott Johnston). Also pictured are members of the County Royals who donated the food for the community barbecue.

Community members plunging into the chilly water at Wellington raised funds for two organizations.

Brandon and Hailey Pounder, co-owners of Pounder’s Pub & Patio, hosted the first Pounder Polar Plunge on Feb. 1 at their Wellington location with participation from community members, local hockey teams including the Wellington Dukes and County Royals, and spectators for a fun day in support of local causes.

Close to 40 participants took the plunge with a $20 entry fee, while attendees enjoyed a community barbecue donated by the County Royals.

“We started the Polar Plunge to give back to the community we grew up in and bring people together,” said Brandon Pounder. “The support from local teams and residents was incredible, and we’re excited to grow this into an annual event and continue supporting important local causes.”

The event raised $1,000 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Back the Build campaign and $1,000 for the Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association (WARA), supporting both the future of healthcare in Prince Edward County and the vital work of WARA’s volunteer-run marine search and rescue team.

“We are incredibly grateful to Brandon and Hailey for their creativity, community spirit, and commitment to making a difference,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Events like the Pounder Polar Plunge not only raise important funds but also build momentum and awareness for local initiatives that matter deeply.”

Over the past six years (2020–2025), Quinte Health has recorded 315 emergency department visits related to water incidents at its four hospitals—an average of approximately 53 visits per year across the region. PECMH alone sees an average of 11 such visits annually.

“Even one drowning is one too many,” said David McFaul, WARA supervisor. “Water safety is something we can’t take for granted in our region, and it takes awareness, education, and strong community organizations to keep people safe. The Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association plays a critical role in protecting residents and visitors on our waterways through their dedicated volunteer efforts.”

WARA operates as part of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, responding to emergencies across West Lake and Lake Ontario. With a highly trained, all-volunteer crew, the organization plays a critical role in ensuring safety along approximately 125 kilometres of shoreline and 2,400 square kilometres of water. Its operations rely heavily on community support and fundraising efforts.

The hospital foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care close to home. Through the Back the Build campaign, the foundation is working with the community to help raise $30M to fund the new, state-of-the-art hospital now being built and expected to open in 2027.