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The Ocean Township High School Marching Band led a group of over 100 spectators to the ocean across the street from the Berkeley Hotel early Saturday morning for the 9th Annual Asbury Park Rotary Polar Plunge.

But it was close to 60 who opted to brave the mid 30 degree weather and run into the ocean in support Mary’s Place by the Sea in Grove, a nonprofit that offers an arrays of free support programs to women diagnosed with cancer.

“To all of the brave bathers today – thank you for taking the plunge for Mary’s Place,” Vice President and Co-Founder Maria McKeon as the plungers readied to dive into the 43 degree water waves. “In the past nine years, we have had over 6,500 women come through our doors to take the time they need to focus on their healing. We are able to do all of this at no cost to our guests thanks to our gracious donors, and events such as this one.”

The annual event also supports the Rotary Club of Asbury Park’s mission to restore sight to those awaiting corneal transplants. New research is developing  that will allow genetic intervention that will  allow money raised to go even farther,  organizers said in a written statement.

“I admire Mary’s Place for their insight into what a woman needs when she is suffering from cancer,” Rotary Club Chair Traudy Grande said.

Long Branch resident Ellen Penn said she’s never missed a plunge.

“The Asbury Rotary are good people and I always have fun with them,” Penn said. “The first year there was only ten of us and this year we have almost sixty people here. It’s a little rough with low tide and the cold but you gotta go all the way in; it makes you feel good.”

Another repeat plunger, who’s never missed the annual event was Gary Siciliano of Interlaken.  

“The creed of the rotary is to serve,” he said. “Sometimes there’s a little hardship in serving but you still continue and do it for the great cause. Plus it’s something crazy to do.”

The youngest of the plungers was 10-year-old Timothy from Palm City, Fla, who was visiting family.

“I wanted to come out and do it just for fun and I love the cold too,” he said.  I’m super hyped plus I’m just a crazy person!”

Mary’s Place by the Sea opened its first care center in the summer of 2009. Their newly build expanded 10-bedroom facility on Main Street allowed the nonprofit to expand its holistic services and patient care rooms.

Guests are provided with unconditional care during their time of extreme need. Volunteers care for women so they may focus on healing and gaining strength in order to win the battle with cancer. Guests are welcome to stay a few hours or days, if needed, at no cost.

The nonprofit’s services include oncology massage, nutrition education, individual counseling, guided meditation, yoga, strength training and in-room spa services.

Violet Knobel, 12, of Spring Lake Heights said she was into the freezing water to support Mary’s Place.

“I’ve been a huge supporter of Mary’s Place since I was five,” she said. “This is just another way to show my friends and others how great I think they are for helping so many. I used to sell lemonade all day to raise money for them so I figured running into the ocean in January could be a way to help during the winter.”

[Photos courtesy of Mary’s Place by the Sea]

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