Hi Everyone! It's that time of year for me.... to talk about the Polar Bear Plunge! Here in NJ it's a big deal. It's also super cold. On February 24th of this year, I raise money for the Special Olympics through the Seaside Polar Bear Plunge! Some people dress up, wear costumes, and everyone hangs out on the boardwalk. It's packed like a summer day. I think last year there was 7,500 plungers and over $2.5 million dollars was raised. This means I hang out with friends, enjoy some adult beverages, head out to the beach, and then run into the freezing Atlantic Ocean! Then run out, and quickly dress, and leave the beach for warmth! Yes, it's crazy. It's a good cause, and always fun. The only downside is when my feet get cold, lol! Do you do anything like this? A walk, run or a plunge? Do you have a fundraising "sport" or big event like this? Do you freeze your tuckus off like I do?
Oh wow! That is commitment to your cause. Here in England people normally do park runs, or marathons (there are 1/2 marathons and mini marathons for those who can't do a whole one). I've never run one, but I've volunteered at one at the water station holding out cups of water to the runners who want one as they stride past.
Nope, never done one and never plan on doing one. Actually, I have never heard of one locally. My cousin and his family do put on a big fundraising event (actually later this month) for a scholarship fund in honor of their son that died in 2019. It is a "Putt Around Golf Tournament". 10 local businesses host a putt-putt hole and teams of 4 visit each business to complete the hole. Shot gun start is at 1p.m. All teams then meet back at the VFW post at 7p.m. for pizza and wings followed by a 50/50 raffle and door prizes given out. They also sell T-shirts in advance. Not sure how much they have raised but the fund has given out scholarships every year. In lieu of participating, I just donate money.
I’ve wanted to do a polar plunge but never have. It sounds so fun to do it with that many people! My sister bought an ice bath and I’ve thought about doing that too.
The closest I've come is the ALS ice bucket challenge. We go to our friends' house for Thanksgiving and since the kids were little, we've always had a challenge to swim a lap of the pool for money. We keep having to pay more and more every year as they've gotten older and wiser. The pool temp is usually in the 50s so it's definitely chilly! Honestly, I wonder if they'd be more incentivized to do it for charity now that they're all young adults.
I remember the ice bucket challenge! My kids did it too years ago! My parents used to do the plunge with us... but as they get older and not really into freezing their tushes off (It's more than that, but that is the main thing for people!), I think this year it will either be my son or my husband. I haven't figured out yet who I need to convince!
Nope. I would pay extra to NOT have to go in! Hey, I'm a native Floridian. While I don't like the hot and humid weather we have here, I do enjoy the cooler months BUT I don't like to swim in freezing water!
I did the polar bear plunge twice while in college, but not since then. I'm a wimp when it comes to cold these days. lol
Ain't no WAY I'd jump into a freezing cold ocean. I can barely make myself go in Lake Michigan until it hits at least 70°! Nope nopety nope! So good for you for doing that to raise money. It actually looks like a super fun event! I could see myself tagging along just to watch the crazy people doing the plunge! I used to be involved in a walk-a-thon to raise money for the American Cancer Society. It was a 24 walk-a-thon and we'd get pledges ahead of time. It was a pretty amazing event, but I don't think they do it locally anymore. I've also had teams for Alzheimer's' fundraising several times too which was a 5k walk/run event.
My oldest son tagged me in a FB post about the plunge. I guess he thinks because I teach special education I should be all in. My response was - no. I do not deal well with cold at all. Not happening. I might go watch and donate, but that's about as far as I go haha.
Yes. Once, in college. Back when I was stupid. lol! I even have documentation. It was part of a festival the college put on to lift spirits during the doldrums of Winter. My friend and I had noticed that no females had signed up for the plunge, so we decided it was our duty to do it. Then some senior women saw that two freshmen had signed up, so they did as well because they didn't want to be outdone by us. Then two of my roommates signed up. I did a cannon ball just to get as many people wet as possible. All I can say is never again! that was too cold for this Californian to bear. Brrrr!
Holy cow, Jan! That was commitment! I run in and run out... and try not to get my head totally submerged, haha! I love that you got coverage!
As I said, I was young and stupid! At first it felt like I was burning up, then the cold hit. They had a gymnastics training belt around our waist so they immediately pulled us out. I *had* to do it as a Californian, ya know? lol!
That gymnastics belt is so funny to me! I agree - you had to do it once! With so many people on the beach - though some run in, and some only get their ankles wet! I aim for my neck... then usually get splashed or what not.... then RUN out!
I did a charity walk back in the spring of '71 ... walk for mankind or something similar ... I think we walked 21 miles total ... it was fun, but my shoes pinched my feet, so I ended up walking most of it barefoot.
I have done the plunge a few times locally.. as a mother of the special needs children the cause is close to my heart so I like to take part. Even if it is FREEZING! when I worked for Delta airlines I even flew to the cities for a bigger one and dove into a freezing cold lake for a bigger event with my coworkers which was amazing doing it with over 500+ people.
Never done, and never plan on doing one. Here in Finland we have two polar sports, the ice swimming and the snow swimming, lol. 1. Ice swimming 2. Snow swimming
This is incredible! I love that you still have the newspaper clipping of it! So happy you were so influential to get so many more women to join!
