Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa To Kick-Off The New Year With Benefit Polar Bear Plunge

After reveling in the start of 2020, daring individuals are invited to dive into the New Year (and Atlantic Ocean) headfirst when Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa hosts its annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day.

The festivities will be held in support of a very worthy, vital local cause, The Retreat, the East End’s sole domestic violence agency. “If you feel the need to jump into icy waters, do it for a great cause,” Kimberly J. Nichols, The Retreat Development Director, advises.

“Supporting local organizations is part of our DNA at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa,” Area General Manager of Gurney’s Resorts, Michael Nenner, noted. “We are honored to be a part of a longstanding annual tradition to support The Retreat in East Hampton through the Polar Bear Plunge.”

The Plunge, which is open to all, will take place at 10:30 a.m. “Guests, visitors and locals alike are encouraged to plunge into the Atlantic on New Year’s morning or simply cheer on their friends and family,” Nenner said.

“Gurney’s Montauk has the best plunge, since you spend time in their spa getting ready,” Nichols added.

Established in 1987, The Retreat provides a safe haven for families in crisis. The non-profit has assisted over 6,000 individuals since its founding. Services offered include a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and emergency shelter. In 2017 alone, The Retreat reached 5,702 students with prevention education and responded to 3,467 hotline calls.

“You get the best of all worlds with the luxury of Gurney’s and the gorgeous Montauk beaches, all while helping The Retreat,” Nichols concluded. “What better way to start 2020?”

“The event not only brings together great people for a vital cause, but also shines a light on how special of a place Montauk is in the winter,” Nenner added. “Through the event, we are able to assist The Retreat in offering aid to citizens who are going through a difficult time and help break the cycle of violence in our community.”

For those looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve, Gurney’s is throwing a “Roaring 20’s” Great Gatsby themed soiree, featuring live 20’s-inspired jazz tunes and a DJ, an open bar and hors-d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne at midnight, and more.

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is located at 290 Old Montauk Highway in Montauk. For more information, visit www.gurneysresorts.com. For more information about The Retreat, visit www.theretreatinc.org.