2 Trumbull Pastors To Swim In Cold 'St. Paddy's Pastors Plunge'

TRUMBULL, CT — The Rev. Tim Hare, of Trumbull Congregational Church, and the Rev. Todd Shipley, of Unity Hill United Church of Christ in Trumbull, are set to jump into the cold waters of Pinewood Lake Saturday for charity.

The two local pastors are participating in the St. Paddy's Pastors Plunge at 11 a.m. on behalf of My Friend ABBY to "highlight the critical need for mental health and suicide prevention services."

"All proceeds from The St. Paddy’s Day Pastors’ Plunge will benefit My Friend ABBY, a Trumbull-based organization that empowers young adults to create peer-to-peer connections through grants that improve mental and emotional health," the group wrote on Facebook.

Added Hare in a statement, "Todd and I are plunging for mental health because we believe that our churches can be places of meaning and hope for people. There are great organizations like My Friend ABBY that are making the world a more hope-filled place by offering really important connections and support for young people. Todd and I are hopeful that our plunge will generate funds for more than a few new MFA grants, and we can’t wait to hear about the ideas for mental health wellness that emerge!"

Saturday will mark the second time the two pastors participated in the plunge, having dove into the lake's icy waters last year, wrote the Trumbull Times.

For more information or to donate, click on the Facebook post below, or visit the Trumbull Congregational Church or My Friend ABBY websites.