Official logo of the Polar Plunge.
Participants posing in their costumes before jumping into the water.
Citizens of Centre County Dive Into Bald Eagle State Park’s Waters For Charity
By: Dana Rothstein
HOWARD, PA-The days of winter are mostly spent avoiding the outside as much as possible. However, this past weekend, participants of the 12th annual YMCA Polar Plunge decided to not do the usual winter routine.
Majority of the attendees wore costumes everything from Mario to Gnomes before jumping into the chilly waters of Bald Eagle State Park.
Nonetheless, participant, Lorna Arocena, had no regrets doing the plunge for the third time.
“I love doing adventurous things with my friends and they’re crazy! And it’s so much fun and I like contributing to the YMCA and this is a great way to do it.”
The series of participants took the jump for a great cause: to benefit the YMCA Open Doors Program.
Open Doors is a program that allows families who cannot afford the YMCA to have the chance of membership and more. The program also provides childcare, swimming lessons, and gymnastics.
This year had over 110 preregistered participants involved in the chilly activity. The total earnings produced more then $43,000 which will definitely open many doors for struggling families across the Centre County region.
Branch Board Chairman of YMCA Bellefonte, Mark Johnson, couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the success of the 2014 event.
“It is always a success,” he said “We always enjoy the Polar Plunge and I think it’s one of the most unique fundraisers around.”
“Everybody usually has an auction or something like that, so the Plunge gives us the chance to put the fun in fundraising.”
After everyone had their chance to swim in the water, the Plunge participants and YMCA Members headed over to a private lunch at Bonfatto’s Resturant & Lounge to celebrate and had a chance to win some raffle baskets for all their hard-work.
The polar plunge shirts were worn by everyone even the waitresses who unfortunately could not make it to the fundraiser.
While everyone chowed down on the never-ending buffet, Mark announced the winners of raffle and graciously announced the sponsors of the event which included: Weis Markets and Centre County Gazette.
It was a long, rainy day but that did not stop attendees from giving back to the community of Centre County.
Johnson said that he and the board members are already planning for next year’s Polar Plunge.
To find out more information about the YMCA’s of Centre County log on to
http://www.ymcaofcentrecounty.org/.