Locals Take a Chilly Dip for a Good Cause
By: Bejoy Joseph
Updated: January 1, 2013
WILLIAMSPORT, MD- It was quite the countdown to 2013, but the countdown for the 10th annual Polar Bear Plunge gave some locals a chilly start to the new year.
"This is my third year doing it, the only thing is my feet got cold, otherwise I feel comfortable," says Bill Pechumer, a Hagerstown resident.
"It's just a thrill, you don't get to do this all the time so I'm pretty happy about it," says Ryan Hullinger, a Funkstown resident.
Many came out to start the New Year, dipping into the icy waters of River Bottom Park in Williamsport.
Locals jumped in wearing bathing suits and some donned on some colorful costumes.
"A good costume, and just to go out there to have fun, so we just decided to dress up, come out, and let the chips fall where they may," says resident Toby Leone.
Some of the divers got out as quickly as they got in, while others stayed in the freezing water longer. All participated to help to raise funds for the Humane Society of Washington County. Officials at HSWC say the effort is greatly appreciated.
"This will really help us to provide exemplary care for the animals we receive each year in the shelter. We are very grateful to have the funds coming in to help us," says Katherine Cooker of The Humane Society of Washington County.
"It's just really awesome to have a huge group of people all for the same reason all doing the same thing, everyone is really brave about it," says Wendy Williams, a Hedgesville resident.
Although lots of folks were still asleep after a night of partying, or just home relaxing on a day off from work or school, some say another reason they took the plunge is simply because they're crazy.
"Yeah it's a little bit nuts when you get into the water, your body locks up sometimes, the ambulance is going to be here if anything goes sour, they will take care of us," says Hullinger.
"I don't think so, some of these people might, but it's not all that crazy," says Chad Helmuth, a Franklin County resident.
More than 200 people participated in the plunge. The event raised more than $10,000 for the Humane Society of Washington County.
"This is my third year doing it, the only thing is my feet got cold, otherwise I feel comfortable," says Bill Pechumer, a Hagerstown resident.
"It's just a thrill, you don't get to do this all the time so I'm pretty happy about it," says Ryan Hullinger, a Funkstown resident.
Many came out to start the New Year, dipping into the icy waters of River Bottom Park in Williamsport.
Locals jumped in wearing bathing suits and some donned on some colorful costumes.
"A good costume, and just to go out there to have fun, so we just decided to dress up, come out, and let the chips fall where they may," says resident Toby Leone.
Some of the divers got out as quickly as they got in, while others stayed in the freezing water longer. All participated to help to raise funds for the Humane Society of Washington County. Officials at HSWC say the effort is greatly appreciated.
"This will really help us to provide exemplary care for the animals we receive each year in the shelter. We are very grateful to have the funds coming in to help us," says Katherine Cooker of The Humane Society of Washington County.
"It's just really awesome to have a huge group of people all for the same reason all doing the same thing, everyone is really brave about it," says Wendy Williams, a Hedgesville resident.
Although lots of folks were still asleep after a night of partying, or just home relaxing on a day off from work or school, some say another reason they took the plunge is simply because they're crazy.
"Yeah it's a little bit nuts when you get into the water, your body locks up sometimes, the ambulance is going to be here if anything goes sour, they will take care of us," says Hullinger.
"I don't think so, some of these people might, but it's not all that crazy," says Chad Helmuth, a Franklin County resident.
More than 200 people participated in the plunge. The event raised more than $10,000 for the Humane Society of Washington County.
