Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta Representatives of Sheetz became the first team to enter and exit the 33-degree Mosquito Lake during Saturday’s Polar Plunge, which raised $30,000 for Special Olympics Ohio.

BAZETTA — While Hermina “Minnie” Wolfe didn’t attend this year’s Polar Plunge at the Mosquito Lake beach area, her spirit still influenced many of its more than 80 participants.

For more than 20 years, she and other plungers from the Mahoning Valley walked into the lake’s frigid water, with many completely submerging themselves. Done annually as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Ohio, the 2026 Polar Plunge raised $30,000.

At 92, Minnie appeared at her final plunge in 2025 and died six months later. The 2026 event was dedicated to her memory.

Inspired by the years he watched her dip into the lake, Bradlee Ritenour, 11, of Dover, made his first plunge Saturday He attended previous events with his dad, Brad, who is chairman of the Ohio State Moose Association, a longtime sponsor and supporter of Special Olympics Ohio.

“I’m very excited,” Bradlee said. “Minnie went out there and did it on her own, basically without any help, and walked it off like it was nothing. So, I think I can do it, too.”

Brenda Sole of Garrettsville entered the water holding a photo of herself and Minnie. A nine-year plunge veteran, Sole cited Minnie as an inspiration to participate in the event.

While she and her husband, Tom, take part in other charitable events such as the Warrior Dash, Sole described the Polar Plunge as being on her “bucket list.”

Another first-time plunger, Katie Kringeta of Champion said, “I plunged with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I was super excited to get into it. I wasn’t ready for the sharp pins and needles (feeling), but I really enjoyed it.

“I lost both of my shoes. So, my feet were super cold, but I found mine. They floated right up.”

Wearing brightly colored ice rescue suits, several members of the Bazetta Fire Department and a member of the Bazetta Police Department broke the lake’s inch-thick ice and cleared a safe path that ran more than 80 feet for the plungers to enter and exit. Many who endured the 33-degree water temperature took the extra step of fully dipping into the water’s nearly 4-foot depth.

Besides handing out free hot cocoa and cookies, a group representing Sheetz became the day’s first plungers.

Naming themselves Minnie’s Moose Crew, and featuring those associated with the Moose lodges, a large group entered Mosquito as the final plunge participants.

Fortunately, no one needed medical attention because of the shock to the system of the chilly water. With a focus on safety, the icebreaking Bazetta first responders stayed in the water to supervise each group of 10 rushing in and out of the lake. A tent with warm air pumped into it allowed plungers a comfortable space to change from their wet outfits and into dry clothes.

Rob Wasser, a Bazetta firefighter and paramedic and Trumbull County Water Rescue Team captain, noted that “Minnie was a phenomenal participant. She was always the headliner of this event. She always set a very good example. She believed in the cause and was a joy to everybody that was participating in the event, whether it would be other plungers or us as rescue personnel.”

“I was Minnie’s escort for…I can’t tell you how many of them. She was a sweet lady that everybody loved and set an example of what the event stands for and in support of a good cause,” said Bazetta Township police Chief Christopher Herlinger, who marked the 23rd time he worked at the event.

Ritenour noted that Saturday marked the beginning of the Ohio State Moose Association’s Polar Plunge season. During the Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games at The Ohio State University, it sets up in an area known as Tent Town, aka Olympic Village. The athletes compete in track and field, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, tennis, volleyball and bocce with some using the event as preparation for the Special Olympics USA Games every four years and the Special Olympics World Games every two years.

“We have a 40×80 tent set up with different games and stuff for the athletes to be able to come play and compete with when they’re not actually competing in their respective sports,” Ritenour said.

He continued, “I think anybody that would ever sit down and interact with an athlete for five minutes and get to witness their reaction, the joy that they have from competing in sports, the relationships that we get to build with the athletes and our local coordinators, it just warms your heart. We look forward to it every year. We look forward to getting to see the athletes and interact with them. There’s not a better charity to be involved with.”

Moose Association member Shawn Harris of Cortland added, “You go to Tent Town and spend one day with them, and you’ll never not feel obligated to help because they are genuine. I’m jealous of all of them, just the joy they have, the teamwork, the camaraderie between themselves and the general feeling of, ‘We’re gonna have fun and we’re gonna do well.’ It doesn’t matter if they win or lose. It’s the team. It’s great.”