More than 300 people are signed up to take the plunge into the frigid waters at North Hempstead Beach Park for the 12th Annual Town of North Hempstead Polar Plunge on March 5.
Registration for the “Freezin’ for a reason” event will be between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. The plunge itself will take place at noon.
Those who aren’t up to taking a dip in the chilly waters can still attend the event and show their support.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event. Included are those taking the plunge, spectators, and the media.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” said Rebecca Strickland, associate director of development at Special Olympics New York, the organization sponsoring the event.
“Last year mother nature was not too kind to us and the water was still frozen so we had to use ice buckets,” Strickland said. She said the temperature are expected to be a lot warmer this year.
The event is to help raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics New York.
The Special Olympics New York has 64,659 athletes training and competing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. The cost to support training and competition for one athlete for the sports season is $400.
Strickland said the event has raised more than $20,000 so far.
The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce Team is one of the top fundraisers for the event, already raising half of their $5,000 team goal.
Plungers that raise $125 receive also free 2015-2016 official Plunge sweatshirt.
Polar Plunge events throughout the state last year raised nearly $1 million for Special Olympics New York.
To learn more or to register, go to www.polarplungeny.org
