Taking the plunge

Though it's been a mild winter, jumping in a lake is bound to give plungers quite a jolt.

Paupack Plunge, Sat., Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Lighthouse Harbor Marina (969 Route 57, Greentown). $25 minimum donation. Info/registration: paupackplunge.com.

We live in a world that wants to feel safe and secure, so we let fear control us, never allowing ourselves to step out of our element. But there are people who are born to look danger in the eye, despite the terror they may experience. Daredevils were created to be recklessly bold and step in the fire, even if it means getting burned.

Lighthouse Harbor Marina has created an event to attract the adrenaline thrill-seeking free spirits with the intention of raising money for a good cause. It is holding its first Paupack Plunge in Lake Wallenpaupack on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 969 Route 507 in Greentown. The plunging will go on every hour from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

“You know, we were sitting around, and we were trying to think of something to bring some attention to the lake during the winter months and bring people that normally only come in the summer, and one of our staff members said that he always wanted to do a polar-plunge thing, and we thought this is great, and we went with it,” said Kevin Gil, a staff member at Lighthouse Harbor Marina.

The Paupack Plunge’s minimum donation is $25, which will benefit the Tafton Fire Company Water Rescue Team and Ledgedale Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. According to Gil, giving back to both organizations is important because they volunteer their time to ensure safety at the lake. They help swimmers who are drowning and assist if a boat is in a wreck.

All plungers will receive a T-shirt with a walrus wearing a scarf with the words “Paupack Plunge” written on it. The T-shirt will also be on sale on the day of the event for anyone who is interested in taking home a souvenir.

“One of the people on our staff, Keely Hamilton, she came up with the idea and designed the whole T-shirt,” Gil explained. “She does a lot of ads and things for the marina. She worked very hard on this project.”

The event will also include live music by Kevin Campion and hot cocoa and hot dogs for plungers.

Not only is the Paupack Plunge designed to raise money for a good cause but also to embrace competition.

“We collected a few door prizes that we are going to be giving away,” Gil said. “And we are going to give away a few gift certificates for Lighthouse Harbor Marina.”

Gil made it clear that he doesn’t plan on making this year the last Paupack Plunge. He said he hopes to make it a yearly event so he can help give back to the community.

So far 50 people have stepped up to the plate and have committed to taking the plunge.

“We weren’t really sure what type of response we were going to get, and the response has been great,” he shared.

Even though this is the first plunge event at Lighthouse Marina, the staff is familiar with the art of plunging.

“We actually watched a few YouTube videos to see how other people have done it, and we found out there’s a lot of them out there,” Gil added, laughing.

First timer plungers should bring a plastic bag for their wet clothes, a backpack to hold post-plunge clothes and clean, dry undergarments to wear after the plunge. Gil also advised they bring two towels and be brave.

For some people this event isn’t just about contributing to charity, it’s about living out a dream.

“We had a guy that signed up the other day, and he said this was on his bucket list,” Gil confided.