Help us reach our 2024 fundraising goal!We have an ambitious $75,000 fundraising goal. Donors have already raised more than 50% and we need your help to close the gap before 2024 comes to a close. If you value independent news that is always local and always informative, please donate during this critical fundraising campaign. ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Chill Challenge will be held on New Year’s Day once again, celebrating the start of the year with the annual fundraiser for programming related to addiction recovery. The event, held at the Ithaca Yacht Club, is a “dip-or-dodge” event in which participants must follow the directions of their donors, who choose between donating for the participant to either dip into the frigid morning water of Cayuga Lake, or dodge and observe from the shore. Each participant must follow whichever option received more money from their donors by noon on Jan. 1. Sign up for our free newsletter. Ithaca Community Recovery (ICR), which hosts the challenge, is aiming to raise $50,000 for its programming and services. Those interested can register here, and the event will commence at 1 p.m. with cake and prizes for fundraisers and costumes. The money will go towards capital investment projects for ICR’s main location as well as provide spaces for programs like 12-step recovery, yoga and more, according to Chill Challenge press secretary Stacey Dimas. “Each year, more and more members of our community see the impact of ICR and want to help,” said Veronica Johnson, the chair of the challenge, in a press release. “Since the pandemic, substance abuse has touched a greater number of individuals. Chill Challenge is our single biggest fundraising event every year. It helps us ensure that if you are trying to recover or support a loved one who is struggling, ICR is a place where they can find a welcoming community.” Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo added that he was proud to see the local community coalescing to support a worthy cause. “This event not only raises essential funds for recovery programs but also fosters a sense of unity and resilience within our community,” Cantelmo said. “Together, we can continue to build a healthier, more inclusive Ithaca.” Support our workAs an independent publication, we rely on contributions from readers like you to fund our journalism. More stories like this

New Year's Day Ithaca Chill Challenge raising money for local recovery community

Help us reach our 2024 fundraising goal! We have an ambitious $75,000 fundraising goal. Donors have already raised more than 50% and we need your help to close the gap before 2024 comes to a close. If you value independent news that is always local and always informative, please donate during this critical fundraising campaign. […]

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca Chill Challenge will be held on New Year’s Day once again, celebrating the start of the year with the annual fundraiser for programming related to addiction recovery.

The event, held at the Ithaca Yacht Club, is a “dip-or-dodge” event in which participants must follow the directions of their donors, who choose between donating for the participant to either dip into the frigid morning water of Cayuga Lake, or dodge and observe from the shore. Each participant must follow whichever option received more money from their donors by noon on Jan. 1.

Ithaca Community Recovery (ICR), which hosts the challenge, is aiming to raise $50,000 for its programming and services. Those interested can register here, and the event will commence at 1 p.m. with cake and prizes for fundraisers and costumes.

The money will go towards capital investment projects for ICR’s main location as well as provide spaces for programs like 12-step recovery, yoga and more, according to Chill Challenge press secretary Stacey Dimas.

“Each year, more and more members of our community see the impact of ICR and want to help,” said Veronica Johnson, the chair of the challenge, in a press release. “Since the pandemic, substance abuse has touched a greater number of individuals. Chill Challenge is our single biggest fundraising event every year. It helps us ensure that if you are trying to recover or support a loved one who is struggling, ICR is a place where they can find a welcoming community.”

Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo added that he was proud to see the local community coalescing to support a worthy cause.

“This event not only raises essential funds for recovery programs but also fosters a sense of unity and resilience within our community,” Cantelmo said. “Together, we can continue to build a healthier, more inclusive Ithaca.”