Polar Plunge!

November 25, 2012      Author : Maine Island Living    Category: Community      0 Comment(s)

Braving frigid air temperatures and the North Atlantic Ocean, “Polar Plungers” of North Haven Island raised over $500 for UNICEF and a local food pantry on November 15. With big hearts and even wider smiles, these enthusiastic kids from one of the smallest schools in the country support families locally and around the world plunging into Pulpit Harbor.


“I LOVE the energy and the instant morale boost that this Polar Plunge offers,” exclaims school guidance counselor Jennifer Cabot, who once again led the charge into the sea. “To see the sense of accomplishment on our students’ faces is the absolute best!”


Adds Cabot, “Students, with middle school teachers and myself, plan everything from transportation, calling the EMS crew, checking in with the town manager, to approve plunging at 2nd bridge, planning our school wide hot lunch, etc.”

Indeed, every last detail was thought through, from having the island ambulance on standby just in case (it wasn’t needed) and thick towels for everyone (needed).


Island students are often acutely aware of local and global events because their island is a “tiny speck” in it all, and goings-on in such a small community are amplified. Perhaps that is why a pile of spectators showed up, cars crowding the beach, the bridge to that beach, and a peninsula populated by just one family this time of year - all there to watch a one-minute event.

Observed one of those gawkers, “Polar plunges are great for the kids and the charities they raise money for, while providing tremendous entertainment to us non-Plungers. I look forward to this every year.”

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