North Beach, MD – For the 19th year in a row, waders intent on washing away the old year with a plunge into the chilly waters of the Chesapeake Bay came to North Beach.

The bayside town has been hosting the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge since 1997. This year the dip endeavored to raise money for a very important cause—The Autism Project Inc.

“I work at the Autism Project,” said Kim Phillips of Chesapeake Beach. “I’m here to support all the kids I work with.”

Town officials asked plungers to pay a $25 fee in order to receive the event’s T-shirt and a certificate of participation. While individuals who opted not to pay the fee were still allowed to plunge, town staff still required them to sign waivers indemnifying the town from any injury claims which resulted from the swim.

Net proceeds from the fees paid went to the Owings-based Autism Project. At its December meeting, the North Beach Town Council voted unanimously to apply for a state grant to assist the Autism Project in providing a group home for four autistic adult males.

“I’m here in support of the Autism Project,” said Jessica Phillips, also of Chesapeake Beach, who along with Kim had been encouraged to take the plunge by members of the DeSeve family.

“I’ve been doing it for years,” said Erika DeSeve of Chesapeake Beach. This year she also convinced her friend, Kevin, and her younger brother Ayden, age 8 to join in the fun.

A few minutes prior to the 1 p.m. start, North Beach Mayor Mark Frazer announced the water temperature was 33 degrees. While the mayor was not among the plungers, some of the town councilmembers were. “I did it before but this is the first time as a councilmember,” said freshman Councilman Mickey Hummel. “I go kayaking in the winter, so I’m OK with this.”

Councilman Gregory McNeill took his fifth plunge as a town official.

Missing this year was Councilman Ken Wilcox, who was on a family vacation. Wilcox, who has participated in the North Beach event before, posted a video on social media of himself doing the New Year’s Day plunge from his family’s vacation haven—in Barbados.

Meanwhile, back in chilly North Beach, the new year’s 13th hour arrived, the horn sounded and a thunderous cacophony of loud splashes, shrieks and screams could be heard as scores waded into the deep Chesapeake.

Dophene Garland, who came all the way from West Virginia to participate, gave out several loud, enthusiastic cries of joy and delight following the experience. “Yes sir, this is the first year I’ve done this,” Garland exclaimed.

“Great, terrific, a lot of fun,” said one soaking wet man shivering on the beach. “It’s my second year doing it.”

“It was fine but my feet are feeling numb,” said a woman as she exited the beach.

“It was wonderful,” said North Beach Town Clerk Stacy Wilkerson, who plunged for the first time.

An exact crowd estimate was not available immediately following the plunge.

For more information about the Autism Project, visit http://www.theautismproject.info/

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com