Saturday, January 28th 2012, at 3pm Breton Bay Beach saw a crowd typically reserved for warmer weather. Costumes which have been sitting in dressers since the end of August such as tank tops, bathing suites, swimming trunks, and the bikini, all showed up. This is the Polar Plunge. Attendees gather sometime in the winter, typically after the holidays, and jump into icy cold water.
Polar Plunges are held all over the Unite States and Canada, as well as in Europe. These events are held in the United States for Charity and this is no exception. Participants were encouraged to bring canned foods “To help out those that do not have any” a participant mentioned before heading to the after party. The canned food helped stock St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen and St. Mary’s Caring in Lexington Park.
They were able to raise nearly $400 is cash donations from the event as well as several boxes of canned and dry food.
St. Mary’s Caring is a non-profit organization run by volunteers whose mission is to bring hot meals to less fortunate individuals living in St. Mary’s County. The Polar Plunge was a big success but St. Mary’s Caring can always use more help, in helping the needy. To volunteer you can reach St. Mary’s Caring at 301-863-5700 or go to www.stmaryscaring.org/.
More photos can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/chesapeake_bay_running_club/sets/72157629090770999/.
