One could think of Tim Dye as a ringleader or a pied piper — at least when it comes to getting people to jump into a frozen lake.

Tim is the international business group vice president and general manager for Akron, Ohio-based GOJO Industries Inc. He puts his leadership abilities to good use for the Portage Lakes Polar Bear Jump, an annual event in which Akron area residents jump into an icy cold lake (literally) to raise money for charity.

Tim has been jumping since 2012 when Michael Boyle, senior business analyst at GOJO, asked for Tim’s help to build awareness for the event.

“Organizers, including Michael, were trying to get more companies involved to grow the event and raise more money,” says Tim. “I said ‘yes’ and soon found myself jumping into a hole in the ice with nine other folks from GOJO.”

In 2013, the GOJO group grew to 20 jumpers, and in 2014 there were 30 jumpers. The goal for 2015 is 40 jumpers.

“When I’m recruiting, I start by saying we’re participating in a charitable event, and then I tell them what it is,” says Tim.

Tim’s inquiry is always met with two questions. First: “Are you crazy?” Followed by: “How cold is the water?” If anyone says, “That sounds interesting,” Tim knows he’s got the person hooked.

The first time Tim jumped, he tried to get ready for it by taking a cold shower.

“That lasted about 10 seconds,” he says. “I realized that you can’t prepare for it.”

The most difficult aspect of the jump is the anticipation. Walking down a dock on a cold day can unnerve a jumper. And after all that, there’s still the shock of plunging into 37-degree water.

“The best thing to do is jump in and get out as quickly as you can,” says Tim.

When they jump, the jumpers go all the way under the water. There are paramedics and fireman in the water ready to assist when needed.

Tim likes to add a little flair to his jump. His first year, he jumped in a SpongeBob SquarePants costume. The following year, Tim’s group dressed in penguin costumes, and in 2014, the group dressed as ducks. Like real ducks, they lined up and jumped into the water, one after the other.

Tim’s son Nick, 14, will jump with his dad for the third year in a row.

“The first year Nick got as far as the dock and at the last minute, said, ‘Dad, I don’t want to do this.’ So we jumped together, hand-in-hand,” says Tim.

This year’s event is Feb. 21, and is held “snow or shine.” For Tim and the GOJO team, it begins with a tailgate event before the plunge (it would be too cold to tailgate afterwards).

“After I jump,” says Tim, “I get changed as quickly as possible, get into the car, crank up the heat, go home, and lie by the fireplace for the rest of the day.”




POSTED ON: 3/12/2015