Charity Southampton Polar Bear Plunge Set For Coopers Beach on Saturday

The 14th annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place on Saturday, and with light winds and temperatures expected to be in the mid- to upper 30s, the conditions are ripe.

A cannon will be fired at 10 a.m., sending participants dashing toward the chilly Atlantic Ocean for a dip, all in the name of charity.

The charity in this case is the Heart of the Hamptons, which was formerly known as Human Resources of the Hamptons. Heart of the Hamptons is a nonprofit organization that offers services to those in need on the East End.

Not only does Heart of the Hamptons provide children, adults and senior citizens with the basic necessities, such as food and clothing, but it also provides other services, like help with purchasing heating oil to warm their homes, and providing some students at Tuckahoe Schools and the Southampton School District with gift cards to purchase whatever they need at the start of the school year.

Hilton Crosby, the director of Heart of the Hamptons, said that before people charge into the water, they need to make sure they fill out a waiver form. Not only does the waiver protect Heart of the Hamptons from any liability, it also helps Mr. Crosby get an accurate count of how many people participate in the plunge.

Mr. Crosby also said the waiver form helps coordinate matching donations from organizations like The Tomorrow Foundation, which will match $100 per person, and local schools.

Last year’s event attracted between 300 and 350 people and helped raise $65,000. The goal this year is ambitious: $100,000.

Registered plungers will receive a complimentary ball cap after they donate $25 and sign the waiver, and are asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the plunge to ensure they are signed up. They are also encouraged to wear costumes, as prizes will be awarded for the most creative outfit.

Food and hot beverages will be provided by an assortment of local vendors, including 7-Eleven, Golden Pear Cafe and Catena’s, and, following the dip, plungers can mosey over to two hot tubs being provided by Harbor Hot Tubs.

Also making an appearance for the first time will be the Southampton Ocean Rescue Team, which will be on hand to provide assistance to anyone in distress.

“This is our biggest, or largest, fundraising event of the year,” Mr. Crosby said. “We really are supported by the local community. All the money we raise really goes back to the people in need in our community.”