By Chad Ingram

The president of the Balsam Lake Association is challenging arealakefront residents to “join” him this Saturday afternoon and take aplunge into their lakes to raise money for charitable causes.

DeanMichel and wife Jennifer Bacon will be jumping off their Balsam Lakedock this Saturday May 2 at 2 p.m. after raising funds for theCoboconk and Area Food Bank and other local charitable organizations.
As food bank demand increased amid the COVID-19 crisis Michel pledgedhe’d jump in the water if he was able to raise $500 for the food bank.If they reached $1000 the couple pledged that Bacon would join him.

“It’s gone crazy” Michel told the Times explaining they've raised thousands more than their goal and are donating to other organizations in addition to the food bank.

Almost a dozen individuals and families have signed up to take the challengeon Saturday and Michel is extending  that challenge to HaliburtonCounty asking residents to gather donations for the county’s food banks or any local charity they’d like to support and jump in their lake.

A YouTube video explaining the challenge can be found at https://youtu.be/eXoA9Yb-djc and Michel can be reached at 416-889-2963 or dean@century21granite.com .

Any readers who partake in the challenge are encouraged to send a picture to the Times by emailing chad@haliburtonpress.com .