By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

If you’ve ever wanted to participate in the B’ville Big Chill but have been reluctant to dip your toe into the frigid Seneca River, now is your chance. This year’s Big Chill — the annual fundraising juggernaut for the Baldwinsville Rotary Club and the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce — is going virtual due to the … well, you know.

“We are not saying the word ‘COVID.’ We are not using the phrases ‘out of an abundance of caution’ or ‘in these uncertain times,’” said MaryAnne Williams, executive director of the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce. “We can’t have ‘Best in Bowl,’ we can’t have pub crawls. This is the year you can plunge without jumping into the river.”

In the spirit of social distancing, Big Chill participants are invited to submit videos or photos of their at-home “plunges” — think along the lines of the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge trend that raised $220 million worldwide for research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

“We’re asking people to be creative and we’re going to be streaming those videos on the 30th of January,” Williams said.

Participants must send their plunge videos or photos to [email protected] no later than Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Matt Hunt, president of the GBCC board of directors, said events like the Big Chill allow GBCC to keep its member dues low, fund its annual scholarship award and cover operating expenses. The cancellation of many events has put a strain on the chamber, which does not receive funding from municipalities or any other outside entities.

“We wanted to be able to host this crazy event and give people something fun to do, while also having a positive impact on our Baldwinsville community,” Hunt said.

The top three fundraising teams will win a percentage of funds raised for the charities of their choice, and the team with the most creative plunge video will receive $100 toward their chosen cause. The remainder of the proceeds benefit GBCC and Rotary.

“Baldwinsville Rotary has two main fundraisers that support all of their community programs and charitable giving — Seneca River Days and the B’ville Big Chill. Due to COVID, there were no Seneca River Days in 2020, so it is especially important that we are able to have a virtual B’ville Big Chill this January,” said Lizzy Martin, secretary of the Baldwinsville Rotary Club.

Martin said these fundraisers help Rotary support local causes such as the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry, Maureen’s Hope Foundation and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“It also supports programs that Rotarians run directly, like their Backpack Program, providing food and snacks for elementary students at risk of hunger outside of school. The community’s participation in the B’ville Big Chill will ensure Rotary can continue helping our friends and neighbors in need,” she added.

Visit bvillebigchill.com to sign up for a fundraising team. Each plunger must raise at least $50 to receive a Big Chill long-sleeved T-shirt. If your business is interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce at [email protected].