WESTFIELD – The weather forecast for Saturday predicts a high temperature of 30 degrees and snow, but it won’t stop human penguins from plunging into the icy waters of Hampton Ponds. For the 10th year Penguin Plunge participants will take leave of their senses and jump into the frigid water to raise funds of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum...
WESTFIELD – The weather forecast for Saturday predicts a high temperature of 30 degrees and snow, but it won’t stop human penguins from plunging into the icy waters of Hampton Ponds.
For the 10th year Penguin Plunge participants will take leave of their senses and jump into the frigid water to raise funds of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum and will take place once again at Hampton Ponds State Park on North Road. It is slated to attract nearly 100 supporters willing to brave the freezing water to raise money for the museum.
Children’s Museum Board of Directors President Diana L. McLean said the event traditionally draws the support of the community in a variety of different roles from the plungers who will jump into the freezing water, to local high school and college students who will be on site helping with registration.
“This is our biggest fundraising event of the year,” she said. “It’s important that people get out there to support us. Supporters don’t have to jump into the glacial waters to help raise money. Donations are always welcome.”
For those who do choose to participate in the event, organizers have ensured that the experience will be as painless as possible with amenities to make them comfortable, McLean said.
“We will have two changing stations – one for the men and one for the women, a heated tent and a fire pit,” she said.
In addition, the 104th Air National Guard will provide the generators that will heat the tents, and the fire department will sell chili. Steaming cups of hot chocolate and coffee will also be available for sale, McLean said.
“Ample parking, signage and assistance will be available surrounding the Plunge site,” she added.
On-site registration is available, but participants are encouraged to beat Saturday morning lines by registering the night before, Friday, from 6 until 8 p.m., at the Children’s Museum at 29 South Broad St. where pledges can be dropped off and event merchandise obtained.
“Registration can also be completed online,” McLean said. “Download and fill out the registration form and either email it to fun@ameliaparkmuseum.org or print it out and mail or fax it back. The pledge form is included in download, and plungers will need this form to collect their pledges.”
Awards and prizes will be given for the 2014 plunger who raises the most money, known as the Penguin Excelsior, the youngest plunger and the best individual costume. Prizes are also awarded for best individual and best team costumes. The team raising the most money will receive a frozen yogurt sundae party sponsored by MoFroYo Frozen Yogurt of Westfield.
All plungers, McLean said, will get a chance to win a five-night trip for two to the Las Vegas Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas.
"The more money you raise the more raffle tickets you receive to enter to win the grand prize,” she said.
If you go:
Who: Amelia Park Children's Museum
What: Penguin Plunge
When: Sat., Jan. 25, On-site registration begins at 11 a.m., Plunge begins at 1 p.m.
Where: Hampton Ponds State Park, North Road, Westfield
Cost: No cost to register. Participants are asked to collect pledges.
Contact: For more information, call the Amelia Park Children’s Museum at 413-572-4014 or visit www.ameliaparkice.org