It’s been so nice out recently, we’ve caught ourselves daydreaming about summer and all it entails – including going for a swim.
Let’s be real though, it’s still way too cold to do any type of water activities unless it’s in your bath tub or an indoor pool. We wouldn’t suggest jumping in a body of water any time soon, considering there’s still ice covering just about all of them.
But if you’re into the whole polar plunge kind of thing – for fun, charity or both – we’ve got something that’s right up your alley. Don’t worry, it’s not one of those things where you have to sprint into a freezing cold ocean or lake. Instead, you just have to sit on the collapsible seat of a dunk tank above a large amount of water that will most certainly be really cold.
“It’s a fun event, but you never know what the weather is going to be like,” said Womenade member Shannon Arndt.
It’s the fourth annual Womenade of Concord Polar Dunk and you can still sign up to be dunked. Organizers will take participants right up until the event begins on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Grappone Conference Center parking lot, so you still have plenty of time to not only mentally prepare to be wet and cold, but also do a little bit of fundraising. There’s no minimum amount to be one of the dunked because every little bit will help.
“We’re hoping for between 30 and 40 dunkers,” Arndt said. “The more participants the better.”
You just have to be at least 18 years old and taller than 4 feet, 6 inches.
If you’re not into the whole getting cold and wet thing, you can still go and watch people get cold and wet. It’s free to attend the polar dunk, but if you want to send your buddy or co-worker into the dunk tank, each toss will come with a price. Womenade will have a donation jar at the throwing station for anyone who wants to show off their arm – and hopefully send one of the brave participants plunging into the frigid water.
“It comes from the fire hydrant, so it’s cold,” Arndt said. “It will take your breath away.”
As we mentioned, the event begins at 11 a.m. and is a pretty quick event. Most of the dunkers don’t do it more than once (would you?) and depending on how fast people knock them in, it might be over by noon.
This is the second year they’ve used the dunk tank instead of a temporary pool.
“Before you could jump in when you were ready, but now someone gets to decide when you go in,” Arndt said.
Founded in 2010, Womenade of Concord’s mission is to provide immediate, short-term financial support to neighbors-in-need who are facing a difficult time in their lives. Womenade works when a community validator makes a request on behalf of a person in need. Requests remain anonymous and come from trustworthy sources in the community such as school nurses, guidance counselors, doctor’s offices and clergy.
For more info and to meet the registered dunkers, visit facebook.com/womenadeofconcord.
