Who says folks have to wait for the winter ice to melt before they take a dip in the lake?

Not Rochester-North Oakland Elks Lodge #2225 in Addison Township.

The lodge, located at 3100 Pond Rd., is inviting the public to attend its annual polar plunge event on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Participants will begin leaping into the icy waters of Shadow Lake at 2 p.m.

Depending on the weather, Addison resident Rhonda Ayers, club manager and secretary for the Elks, said there will be activities such as sledding, skating and ice fishing.

“It’s a family fun day,” she said. “It’s an event for all ages.”

Of course, the main event will be the plunge itself when a select group of hearty souls dive into the frigid water before a cheering crowd.

It’s all for a good cause.

According to Ayers, this year, the event will raise funds to assist the efforts of the Michigan Veterans Foundation (MVF), a nonprofit agency whose primary mission is “to fill the gaps that currently exist in providing services to Michigan’s veterans.”

“The veterans are near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Her late grandfather was a U.S. Navy pilot during World War II and she has “several cousins” who have served in the military.

“I didn’t realize the importance when I was younger of appreciating and respecting veterans . . . I definitely do now,” Ayers said.

The MVF offers transitional housing, like skills training, employment training, job opportunities/referrals, meals, clothing, transportation assistance, support groups, legal assistance, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, education, health care services, housing placement assistance, substance abuse intervention and assistance obtaining benefits.

According to Ayers, the Elks’ goal is to raise $2,000 with the intent of using the money to conduct a special event for veterans in March.

The idea is for the MVF to transport a group of veterans to the lodge where they will receive lunch, free haircuts and shaves, and free suits and other business attire appropriate for job interviews. The veterans will also be given assistance with resume writing and have the opportunity to take part in mock (or practice) job interviews.

In order to raise money for this, donations will be collected at the lodge during the polar plunge event and those taking a dip that day will be soliciting pledges ahead of time.

“Everybody’s really pumped about it,” Ayers said.

You don’t have to be a member of the Elks to take the plunge.

“Anybody can do it,” Ayers said. “But we encourage them to please collect donations for the cause. Just don’t do it for your five minutes of fame.”

Those interested in donating or taking the plunge are asked to please contact Ayers at (248) 721-1708 or call the Elks Lodge at (248) 572-7118.