Taking an Icy Plunge to Help Keep Neighbors Warm

The projected warmer temperatures and the St. Patrick’s Day holiday spirit could make a record-breaking event.

This year, Cliff Nelson Motor Sports, the , and are sponsoring and hosting the event to raise money to help local families stay warm by raising money and awareness for the East Windsor Fuel Bank.

In 2010, as Recreation Director Melissa Maltese chatted with a coworker about the state of the depressed economy she tried to think of a way to help those in need.

She didn’t want to do a bake sale and knew the generous East Windsor business community could only give so much. Then she heard about the Special Olympics annual .

“I thought it was a great idea and something that we could adapt to benefit the fuel bank,” Maltese said Thursday. “We hit the businesses pretty hard, it’s a small community and we needed to think outside the box.”

The first year of the plunge about 30 people preregistered to take a dip into the frigid East Windsor Reservoir, with another 15 to 20 registering the day of the event. In total, in the inaugural year the event raised $3,500 for the fuel bank.

In 2011, it appeared that Mother Nature was going to keep community from the water. The plunge was postponed from its original date to mid-March in hope that the cold and snowy weather would have subsided. But it hadn’t. 

In the days leading up to the plunge last March, a backhoe and a bulldozer had to break and from the reservoir so that those taking the dip had a clear shot at the water. Nevertheless, up to 70 people registered the day of the plunge and raised $5,000 for the fuel bank.

This year she hopes to break the $10,000 mark, and with the amount of people who have called the office to inquire about whether the plunge is still on there’s a chance it might happen.

For Saturday, Maltese suspects the water could be in the 40s, with the air temperature expected to be in the 60s with the sun to be shining bright as people sprint toward the water at 1 p.m.

Even with the spring-like weather in recent days, Maltese said people should be prepared before they hit the cold water. She offered these tips to people considering or already committed to hitting the water:

• Choose your plunge “attire” knowing you will be cold and your fingers will be numb. So choose things that are loose fitting, but not heavy. And of course you can get creative with your costume.
• Bring a robe, blankets and towels to wear while waiting and after plunging.
• Wear tennis or water shoes-the ground is freezing.
• Bring loose fitting clothes to change into.

After you emerge from the water volunteers will be on hand to toss a towel your way and a warming party will be underway by the beach to help thaw your bones.

But just in case, East Windsor emergency services personnel – from the fire and and – will be on hand to assist if needed. And if all it takes is a hot beverage and goodie to warm up, the East Windsor Booster Club and PTO will be selling baked goods, hot chocolate and coffee.

For more information, please call our office at (860) 627-6662 or email us at mmaltese@eastwindsorct.com. Please visit the town website www.eastwindsorct.com for up to date information or for any forms that you may need for the event.