Take 'Plunge' to Help Habitat for Humanity

Take a refreshing plunge into the lake at Dutch Springs to help Habitat for Humanity this weekend.

The first annual “Lehigh Valley Polar Plunge for a Purpose” will be held at noon, Saturday. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m.

For $75 in pledges, plungers will receive a commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt and the refreshing feeling of helping Habitat build its 100^th home. To register for the event, visit www.HabitatLV.org and click on the polar bear.

As temperatures soared past 80 degrees on Tuesday and were expected to return there on Wednesday, this event, which was originally scheduled earlier in the year, may not seem so “polar.”

Saturday, however, is not expected to be nearly as warm with a forecast high of 59 degrees.

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to provide affordable housing for hardworking low-income families. Homeowners commit to 250 hours of “sweat equity” to be eligible for Habitat homes.

Partner families repay a no-interest mortgage as part of Habitat’s philosophy of giving potential homeowners a “hand up” instead of a “hand out.”

Since 1989, Habitat has built or renovated more than 95 homes in the Lehigh Valley and will begin construction on its 100^th home this year.