For many, the summertime means relaxing at the beach, swimming, and enjoying a nice cold drink. Few people would imagine venturing into the ocean during the late fall when the temperature was a frigid 47 degrees. However, on November 18, hundreds of people from around Westchester gathered at Glen Island Park and ran into the freezing cold waters of the Long Island Sound. This event is called the Westchester Polar Plunge, which is an annual fundraiser organized by the Special Olympics of New York. Every year, groups around Westchester form teams that raise money prior to the event. PMHS’s “Do Something” Club organized their own “Pelham Pelicans,” which included 28 Pelham students. The team was captained by senior Jack Howard, who first brought awareness of the plunge to Pelham.

Nesquik, a sponsor of the event, gave out chocolate milk and hot chocolate to “plungers” who took part in the event. Then, at noon, over 800 participants ran into the cold water.

“I definitely loved losing feeling in my hands and feet,” said junior Kristina Pompilio, testifying to the chilliness of the water.

The “Pelham Pelicans” were the 9th biggest fundraising team at the event, raising over $3,200 alone.
“I think that the Polar Plunge is a great cause, and if I can help some people do great things, I am more than willing to do so,” said sophomore Stephen Tahbaz.

Since it started nine years ago, the Westchester Polar Plunge has grown immensely. According to Kaitlin Brennan, Director of Development at Special Olympics New York, the fundraiser has grown from 200 participants raising $54,000 in 2012 to quadrupling in size and raising $127,000 this year. In addition to the event in Westchester, there are twenty other plunge locations around New York state, some of which occur in the springtime..