Dan's Papers - December 7, 2007 - Anything For Charity

It seems uncanny that one of the biggest events in the Hamptons happens not in July or August, but on December 15, when over 700 people are expected to plunge into the ocean for a good cause.

For the fourth year, the Polar Bear Plunge For Hunger will be held at Cooper's Beach in Southampton, and all proceeds will be donated to the Human Resources of the Hamptons, which helps needy families throughout Southampton Township in many ways. Last year, 750 people plunged into the icy waters of Cooper's Beach and raised over $116,000 for this non-profit organization.

"It's our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we are so overwhelmed by the amount of local support we get from high school kids to village officials, to fire and police officials," said Mary Ann Tupper, Director of Human Resources of the Hamptons. "It's very cold out there at the beach, but it warms everyone's heart knowing they are giving to the less fortunate."

She said her group's Holiday Giving Program will provide 450 local families with food baskets and over 3,000 gifts for Christmas. It will also help support Maureen's Haven, a non-profit organization that helps shelter the homeless in twelve churches throughout the area.

"Most people are surprised to learn that 99% of the money raised at this plunge goes to serving local families who were born and raised here," said Tupper. "I see many college graduates who are having a hard time finding entry level work in the Hamptons and also lots of single mothers and senior citizens who struggle to pay the high cost of living out here."

Tupper explained that her Ecumenical Outreach serves people west of Sag Harbor with financial assistance, including help with rent, used clothes, fuel bills and free medical transportation for such things as dialysis and cancer treatments. They also have an emergency food pantry, they help out with emergency prescriptions and have a program called Project Warmth for heat. Her group has been serving this area for 25 years.

Tupper said she "wouldn't ask anyone to do anything she wouldn't do herself," so she also plunges into the ocean each year. "The worst part is the cold sand on your feet, so bring shoes," she noted.

This year's plunge at Cooper's Beach takes place at 10 a.m., but people are asked to register by 9:30 a.m. sharp. Plungers are asked to donate $20 to the Human Resources of the Hamptons or to have people sponsor them. Plungers can jump into the water in teams or individually. All donations are tax deductible.

Tupper said she is fortunate to have many big sponsors who generously donate large sums of money to her cause, including one sponsor who donates $100 for each village official who plunges into the ocean, and another who donates $50 for every high school student who plunges.

One sponsor of this year's Polar Bear Plunge for the Hungry is CB's Bar and Grill in Hampton Bays. Vicki Drescher, who owns this business with her husband Bob, said she is also the captain of her staff team.

"My team is called the Arctic Warriors and we wear grass skirts and Hawaiian leis," she said. "Last year, we arrived at the beach in a limousine, and we're hoping to do that again this year."

Calling the polar bear plunge "a riot," Drescher said, "It's an amazing event. Last December it happened to be a sunny, cold day with a water temperature of 49 degrees. When I ran into the water, at first I couldn't breathe, but when I ran out, I felt better."

She said the fun part about the event is seeing all the crazy costumes people wear. "Last year a man was dressed as a banana and another as a Christmas tree," she said. "People come with their kids and dogs, and everyone has a blast."

Tupper said kids under 18 need a signed waiver from their parents before December 15, in order to participate in this event. All plungers are invited to a big survivor celebration party at the beach following the dip, to warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, soup, chili, hot dogs and bagels.

This reporter attended the Cooper's Beach plunge in past years, but was too busy taking pictures of all the funny costumes to jump in. This year, I plan to take the plunge along with everyone else, and considering that so far no one has actually frozen, I guess I'll still be alive to write about it later!