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Brittany Hackett Miller encourages residents to become a Subzero Hero, even if you don't have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
" If you’re going to take a plunge anyway, you might as well do it while helping raise money for a worthy cause," she said.
Taking action against Alzheimer’s is a true passion for Miller, who lost her grandmother to the disease. Being a Subzero Hero was a way to get involved and do something to help.
While not everyone may be up to literally taking a plunge into icy water, there are other ways to get involved. Sidekicks, who help heroes with promotion and fundraising and offer support at the event, are also in demand. Businesses can become involved through sponsorships or by encouraging their employees to participate.
Money raised by Subzero Heroes fuels the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission-related initiatives of care, support and research.
“It’s exciting ... It’s something to talk about,” said Subzero Hero Sean Power, who has participated in the event since 2014.
He first became involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s because his mother suffered from the disease. Later he heard about Subzero Heroes and thought it sounded fun.
His team, Masters of the Universe, got its name when he decided to dress as Skeletor from the “Masters of the Universe” TV show for his first jump. Though Skeletor was not a hero, he said, his costume was purple, which seemed appropriate given the Alzheimer’s Association’s purple logo.
Subzero Heroes began in February 2010 when 25 people jumped into Freedom Lake in LaGrange while approximately 80 others watched. Nearly 1,000 attendees – including more than 150 heroes from the Hudson Valley and around the country -- are expected to turn out for this year’s event.
To register or for more information, visit www.subzeroheroes.org.
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