Get Ready for The Polar Plunge

Never mind the bitter cold. Start thinking about the 7th Annual Polar Plunge. It takes place March 5, 2011, in the chilly waters at in Port Washington.

The Polar Plunge is billed as “a unique, wacky pledge event” that is now “the premier annual fundraiser of Special Olympics New York.” Plungers raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics New York by sponsorship from family, friends and co-workers who support their efforts in “Freezin’ For A Reason.”

There’s an official “Plunge” sweatshirt for every participant who raises $100, with additional prizes for those who raise more. To facilitate the effort, participants can create a web page to accommodate online donations.

The 2009-2010 season saw more than 6,000 plungers and 15,000 spectators, who raised nearly $1 million across the state.

Registration opens at 9 a.m. on March 5, and the plunge takes place at 12 p.m. To learn more, visit www.polarplungeNY.org.

Register at sony.kintera.org/NorthHempsteadLongIsland.