Heart of the Hamptons is inviting you to “get freezin’ for a reason” during the return of the highly anticipated annual Polar Bear Plunge. Hundreds of community members annually participate in this fundraiser, often wearing festive costumes. All are welcome to sign up to jump into the chilly Atlantic Ocean water to support local people in need. The Polar Bear Plunge will take place at Cooper’s Beach in Southampton on Saturday, December 9 at 10 a.m. and to participate, you must register by 9:30 a.m.
“It warms us up at Heart of the Hamptons to see all of the people that turn out to support the local charity that is here to help local people in crisis,” remarked Hilton Crosby, Executive Director of Heart of the Hamptons.
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1,500 are annually supported by the work of Heart of the Hamptons. (Courtesy Photo) |
After the plunge, participants are welcome to enjoy hot drinks and food at the Pavilion. They will also receive a Polar Bear Plunge hat to commemorate their participation. The first Plunge took place in 2004 and has raised more than $700,000 to support Heart of the Hamptons and its programs, which offer food, clothing, and assistance to over 1,500 people annually. Your support to this cause can provide healthy summer lunch food for needy school children, send cooked meals to a homebound or isolated resident, buy a pair of glasses for a local school child, purchase medical equipment, install a wheelchair ramp for a handicapped person, or brighten the holidays for a family with little to celebrate.
Heart of the Hamptons (previously known as Human Resources of the Hamptons) began in 2003 to serve as a food pantry that now provides assistance to over 400 households or 1,100 people, a clothing room, and an outreach office. They offer crisis intervention, medical assistance funding, aid for seniors, school supplies and summer lunches for school children, and a meals program for the homebound. Heart of the Hamptons also connects people in need with resources available in the local community. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization’s mission is “to help people in our local community who are in need, without discrimination, in a dignified manner.”
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There will be hot tubs on site to help participants warm up after a dip in the Atlantic Ocean. (Courtesy Photo) |
“This is our largest fundraiser. We have incorporated online participation this year to make sure everyone gets involved,” Crosby added. “If you are worried about being cold, have no fear! We will have hot tubs on the sand to warm up in, courtesy of Harbor Hot Tubs.”
For those not in the Hamptons the weekend of the Polar Bear Plunge, make sure to catch the always amusing action live on the Hamptons.com Coopers Beach Camera.
Cooper’s Beach is located at in Southampton. To sign up for The Polar Bear Plunge or to donate, visit heartofthehamptons.org. For more information, call 631-283-6415.
