Approximately 150 brave souls from around the region recently participated in the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance’s Polar Plunge at Brandywine Picnic Park in West Chester, and they found the water to be warmer than the air, writes Shawn Weigel for the Hockessin (Del.) Community News.

The plungers at the BRCA’s 12th annual event walked out in the 27-degree air and jumped into 40-degree water to help raise funds for the nonprofit’s water conservation efforts.

The money will help fund a number of projects and educational outreach programs at the local nonprofit.

Before the Polar Plunge, participants had already raised more than $150,000 to help fund BRCA watershed restoration and conservation projects and emphasize the importance of clean water.

BRCA executive director Jim Jordan said that, each year, people do it for different reasons.

Jaclyn McHugh, 34, of Ridley Park, took her inaugural plunge this year at the behest of her friend.

“She made me,” McHugh said, pointing at 32-year-old Jillian Goltz of Thornton.

“I realized that we’ve tubed down the Brandywine,” said Goltz. “So I thought this would be a good way to give back.”

Read more about the Polar Plunge in the Hockessin (Del.) Community News here. The above video is courtesy of the Hockessin (Del.) Community News.

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