Submitted Photo A large culvert wrapped with sponsors’ names sits on an iced-over slough near Max, waiting for spring thaw so prize money can be paid to those who guess the closest to the day it takes the plunge.

MAX – A large culvert wrapped with the names of local sponsors is sitting on a slough off U.S. Highway 83, waiting for the ice below to melt to plunge it into the icy water below.

The Max Civic Club is holding its annual plunge can fundraiser, in which community members buy tickets to take a guess on the time and date the can will fall into the water. The culvert has a timer attached to it so the club will know exactly when it breaks through the ice. Cash prizes are awarded to entrants with the top four closest guesses.

The Max Civic Club, formerly known as the Max Community Club, allocates the raised funds to youth summer recreation programs and local emergency services, such as the local fire department and ambulance service.

The civic club took the fundraiser over from the Max Park Board after the can sat idle for a few years. Dennis Erickson, president of the Max Civic Club, said the club has been doing this fundraiser for three or four years.

Erickson said this year’s plunge can fundraiser has been successful so far. The culvert set out in January is adorned with 13 local sponsors. He also said they had 300 books of tickets made, of which only nine are left.

“It’s really a big thing – the kids – everybody gets involved in it. It helps fund all of our summer recreational programs so we don’t have to dig in and the parents don’t have to spend a lot of money,” Erickson said.

Prizes range from $50-400. The winner will be announced on April 26.