This weekend's second annual "Alburrrquerque Polar Bear Plunge," hosted by the city's parks and recreation department, will benefit Shanta Strong Swim Fund, named for a slain lifeguard.
The plunge, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, also will benefit the ABQ BioPark polar bears and penguins and the ONE Albuquerque Fund to help provide swimming lesson scholarships.
The late Shanta Hanish, for whom the Shanta Strong Swim Fund is named
| facebook.com/shanta.hanish/
"Are you a thrill seeker?" the parks and recreation department challenge on the plunge's webpage says. "Do you take on any dare thrown your way? Do you want to provide free swimming lessons to a child in need?"
Those up to the challenge are encouraged to "take the plunge" into the 40-degree waters of West Mesa Aquatic Center's outdoor slide pool at 6705 Fortuna Rd NW.
"The pool has been specially prepared for your adventure," the website says. "Have the option to jump into the deeper end, run into the pool on the beach side, or take on the challenge of going down one of the slides!"
The main doors under the red awning are expected to open at 10 a.m. Parking will be in the south parking lot right off Fortuna Road, and day-of registrations will be accepted if paying with cash or check.
Participants will receive a commemorative towel and refreshments of hot cocoa and other snacks. Additional towels may be purchased at the event (cash or check only).
Dignitaries are expected to kick off the event with the first plunge of the morning at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets, which may be purchased online, are a $40 minimum tax deductible donation to take the plunge and a $50 minimum tax deductible donation to go down the slide. Anyone who would like more information may call the aquatic center at (505) 836-8718
Shanta Strong Swim Fund is named for 19-year-old University of New Mexico student and Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department four-year-veteran lifeguard Shanta Hanish, who was murdered along with her mother Laura Hanish in June 2019, according to KRQE. The December after their killings, two trees were planted and a bench was installed in memory of the two.
This past July, Shanta Hanish's ex-boyfriend, Jesus Cartagena, pleaded no contest in Bernalillo County District Court to charges in the killings of Shanta and Laura Hanish, in exchanged for a 50-year prison sentence with five years suspended. He is serving his sentence in Guadalupe County Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa, according to an online inmate search.