Polar Bears get ready for 12th annual plunge
Event starts at 10 a.m. New Year's Day
On New Year’s Day, hundreds of people will bear the cold and jump into the Atlantic in Asbury Park.
The 12th annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2015, with registration at 10 a.m.; a bagpipe march to the beach at 12:45 p.m.; and the plunge itself at 1 p.m. From 1 to 3 p.m., Brian Kirk and the Jirks will perform.
The event has drawn 3,000 spectators and 500 plungers in the past.
The Plunge started with a group of alumni of Lincroft’s Christian Brothers Academy [CBA] as a way to mark New Year’s Day. They formed the Sons of Ireland nonprofit in 2002. The group is “dedicated to the principles of brotherhood, charity and community service, and supports worthy nonprofits within the Monmouth County area,” according to the release.
Plungers are asked to raise at least $100 to participate. Fundraising efforts have contributed to more than $300,000 in charitable donations over the years. This year, the event will benefit 180 Turning Lives Around, the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park, The Samaritan Center of the Jersey Shore, and Family Promise of Monmouth County.
The event started in Sea Bright at Donovan’s Reef, and was held there until the City of Asbury Park approached organizers and offered up Convention Hall and the AP Boardwalk.
The charities the 2015 Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge will benefit describe themselves as follows:
180 Turning Lives Around is a private non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in our community. At 180, we have served individuals and families who have been affected by domestic and sexual violence since 1976. Our caring staff provides immediate and long-term support in assisting clients with the trauma they have experienced, while supporting them in obtaining services and making decisions that will turn their lives around.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County is a private non-profit organization that serves children that come from some of the most difficult circumstances in the County. As of 2014, the organization serves more than 1,800 kids and teens in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Their vision is to have a positive impact on the lives of young people by: providing a safe environment to learn and grow, fostering ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, providing life enhancing programs and character development experiences, and offering hope and opportunity.
The Samaritan Center at the Jersey Shore is a place for families and individuals to turn for counseling, educational opportunities and spiritual enrichment. The goal of the center is to provide clinical psychological services, coaching and support in areas of one’s health and life direction. The center will serve our community by providing top quality services at reasonable costs.
Family Promise of Monmouth County, an affiliate of national Family Promise, works with community agencies, faith-based services, churches and synagogues to provide shelter, food, transportation and supportive services including case management for homeless families. Their Network is made up of host congregations who have pledged the use of their facilities and the participation of volunteer members and support congregations who provide additional volunteers and support.
[Above photos by Mark Krajnak.]
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