Dozens Take the Polar Plunge for Animals in MA

BOSTON, CAPE COD, MA -- For most New Englanders, this weekend is all about coming up with the best dips and wing spiciness for Super Bowl game watching.

For dozens of animal lovers and advocates, it means taking the Polar Plunge.

These brave bathers from the chilly sands of Mayflower Beach in Dennis, MA, into the frigid Atlantic during the second annual MSPCA-Cape Cod Polar Plunge to raise thousands to care for animals at the MSPCA-Cape Cod, the organization announced today.

The 2016 Polar Plunge takes place at noon on Sunday, Feb. 7.

This year’s plunge is extra fun (but no less cold!)-with big prizes for top individual and team fundraisers, including a New England Patriots Jersey signed by Julian Edelman, a $600 boat rental courtesy of Nauset Marine, a $250 gift certificate from Whole Foods, $200 worth of gift certificates to Tomatoes Restaurant in Sandwich, and more.

Local corporate sponsors-including Spartan, Agway Cape Cod, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Hyannis Toyota, Transaction Resources Inc., as well as official media sponsor Cape Cod Broadcasting-have stepped up to support the event, which last year raised over $7,000 to care for the animals at the MSPCA’s Cape Cod adoption center in Centerville. This year, the MSPCA-Cape Cod hopes to double the amount of money raised.

Here are the Polar Plunge prizes:

• Top Individual Fundraiser: Signed Edelman jersey
• First Runner Up Individual Fundraiser: $250 Whole Foods certificate
• Top Fundraising Team: Nauset Marine rental
• First Runner Up Fundraising Team: $200 worth of gift certificates to Tomatoes
• Most Impressive Plunger: Gift certificates to Sam Diego’s and Royal II restaurants
• Longest Distance Travelled to Plunge Plunger: This prize will be awarded to the plunger who drove, hiked, biked or otherwise traveled the furthest to do his or her best for animals.

Mary Sarah Fairweather, MSPCA president, stressed that even those who are not willing to take the plunge can participate in the event.

“As a plunger myself I can say that everyone who jumps in appreciates the roar of the crowd as they make their way out,” she said in the announcement. “I encourage everyone who loves animals to come out and cheer on the plungers!”

Photo Credit: MSPCA/Cherie Damron