First Annual Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge Raises More Than $90K

Ernie Roundtree, Special Olympics PA athlete from Monroe County, comes out of the cold water with other participants during the Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge on Saturday afternoon to benefit Special Olympics of Pennsylvania athletes. Express-Times Photo Matt Smith

Over 1,000 spectators watched 641 plungers enter the Delaware River in Easton, PA for the first Annual Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge on January 19, 2013.   The plunge featured boxing legend Larry Holmes and NBA star Darryl Dawkins taking the mic at Scott Park in Easton.  The MC of the event was news anchor Jaccii Farris.  Many of the plungers were part of teams that dressed in matching costumes and some plungers dressed in their own inspirational outfits.   There were team tailgates and tents sprawled acrossed the park and a DJ played for all to dance and have a good time.  Plunge Town featured Dunkin Donuts, Just Born and Keystone Snacks.  To enter the plunge, each individual had to raise $50.00 to plunge or to be "Too Chicken for Dippin".  Many individuals received sponsors from their family and friends.   The city of Easton was a gracious host and invited Special Olympics back to plunge again next year on January 18, 2014.   The first plunge was a huge success raising $91,000.00.  The local programs that participated in the event were:  Northampton County, Monroe County, Carbon County, Columbia-Montor, Lancaster County and Bethlehem City.