Penguin Plunge: Rescheduled for March 11

Unfortunately, due to the storm, The Village of Nyack has determined that the water is too dangerous this Sunday and we certainly don’t want to endanger anyone.  We are rescheduling the Penguin Plunge for Sun March 11. Same time, same place.  See you then! — Barbara Noyes

Despite the frigid winter weather, the warmth of giving will shine through on Sun March 11 as more than 100 pre-registered hearty Hudson Valley residents plunge into the icy waters of the river to help bring healing and comfort to ailing local children. The 11th Annual Penguin Plunge will be held at Memorial Park, 53 Piermont Avenue, Nyack, New York from 12n-2p.
This year, the Penguin Plunge proceeds will better the lives of two area children: Sebastian Scully is a lively seven-year-old from Valley Cottage who was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a rare chronic allergic reaction inflammatory disease that at this time has no cure. Sebastian must endure different methods of treatment daily to relieve the pain and symptoms, including specialized nutrients and medications. Despite all this, Sebastian doesn’t complain and is a happy student at Valley Cottage Elementary. He would like to be a fireman like his dad when he grows up.
Four-year-old Elle Fishman is from Piermont. Elle was born with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, an underdeveloped cerebellum. This causes severe delays in developing speech, learning to walk and balancing herself. Therefore, Elle cannot yet talk, stand or walk on her own. Yet, she is a very smart, strong and brave girl who wants to be independent and just like her friends. She doesn’t get discouraged and always tries to do the most that she can do.
“The Plunge” itself will occur at 1:30, with hundreds of spectators cheering on the daring participants. It’s expected that as many as 200 plungers may tempt the icy winter waters in Memorial Park during the 2018 event. Anyone who would like to help the cause but is weary of peeling off their clothes and jumping into Arctic waters can come just stop by to root for the plungers, participate in raffles, grab a bite to eat. There will be trophies awarded for the largest group, the best individual costume and the best group costume.
As a tax deductible 501c3 charity, the Penguin Plunge holds multiple events throughout the year to help support local families that have children with serious medical needs. The Plunge is the most widely-attended of these events and provides a large portion of the charity’s donations.
The Plunge is free, but a $20 donation is suggested and includes a commemorative T-shirt.

South Nyack-Grand View Police Officer Barbara Noyes and Pearl River resident Mike Lynch created the Nyack Penguin Plunge. The organization has raised more than $350,000 over the past ten years. For more information, visit PenguinPlungeNY.com.  Donations can also be made by sending a check payable to the Penguin Plunge, Inc., to Penguin Plunge Inc., 150 Hoover St., Blauvelt, N.Y. 10913. You can also reach Barbara at 917-846-6763 or email her at b.noyes@gmail.com.