The primary day of 2023 will likely be particular for a lot of causes. For one group of courageous souls, they’ll head to the ocean for a fantastic trigger whereas serving to two native youngsters who’re battling life-threatening diseases.
The Warwick-based A Want Come True, the oldest wish-granting group in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, will host its annual Polar Plunge at Easton’s Seashore in Newport on Sunday, Jan. 1, from midday to three p.m. Parking is anticipated to be restricted.
There’ll a pre-event buffet and post-plunge reception for individuals and friends at Rejects Beer Firm, 124 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown.
This 12 months’s “Want Youngsters” are Riley, a 14-year-old from Warwick, and Mark, a 13-year-old from Seekonk, Massachusetts. Each want to journey to Florida to go to Disney World, Common Studios and Sea World.
“Typically, folks don’t notice they’re donating to assist make goals come true for youngsters with a life-threatening sickness. This occasion options shut to five,000 folks keen to move into the water and be ‘freezin’ for a motive’. This present day additionally hosts a particular visitor,” AWCT Government Director Mary-Kate O’Leary mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re honoring one of many unique ‘Polar Bears’, Charlie Wright, who has taken the plunge over 48 years,” mentioned O’Leary, whose group celebrated its fortieth 12 months in 2022. “We’re thrilled to have him cleared the path and encourage our attendees to have enjoyable and benefit from the water.”
Wright joined the Polar Bears by means of a buddy in 1969. He mentioned a number of colleagues, together with Jack Morgan, Henry Walker and Eddie Sullivan, have been a part of a softball crew that gained a championship. He was instructed that in the event that they gained, he must soar into Easton’s Seashore with them. Again then, it was a small group of people who would take the Plunge each Sunday at midday. Regardless of his trepidations, Wright went by means of with the occasion, and continued doing so till 5 years in the past.
Wright has some attention-grabbing tales about attending to the seaside. A lot of them started with coping with little or no site visitors, chilly climate and freezing water temperatures. From there, among the tales took on lives of their very own.
“We had a Middletown police officer cease and ask what we have been doing as we turned into our bathing fits. We instructed him, and he simply mentioned he didn’t need something to do with why we have been there. We needed to stroll over excessive snow drifts at Johnny’s Restaurant as a result of the seaside hadn’t been plowed out.
“After we obtained into the water, the rule was that you just needed to be utterly moist,” Wright continues. “We’d change into utterly coated in ice. We additionally walked on frozen seaweed and needed to preserve our ft on the ocean ground so we knew the place we have been.”
As for partnering with AWCT, Wright mentioned AWCT reached out to Wright and the group 19 years in the past to make this a yearly fundraiser. The group agreed, and it slowly gained reputation and now has shut to five,000 folks taking part and watching. Final 12 months, the occasion raised $45,000.
Wright mentioned the very best a part of the occasion was assembly the children and households who obtained their generosity.
“The group would deliver the kid and their household to fulfill with us and take photos. We may see first-hand the place the cash was going and who it helped in our group. It was a gratifying second for everybody concerned,” he mentioned.
Wright saved mum on whether or not he’ll enter the water on occasion day. If Wright chooses to not, then he will likely be properly represented by his grandson and granddaughter, who’ve taken the plunge for a number of years.
There are a number of methods the general public may help, in keeping with O’Leary. Sponsors may help financially beginning at $100 with a “Freezin’ for a Purpose” stage with different sponsors for $250 (Polar) $500 (Bronze) $1,000 (Silver) $2,500 (Gold) and $5,000 (Presenting) with accompanying advantages at every stage. Most significantly we would like folks to attend and have a good time. Plungers will likely be inspired to present $20 to take the massive plunge. As well as, there will likely be t-shirts, towels and blankets on the market. You can too type a crew on-line at www.awish.org. The crew that raises probably the most cash receives a trophy!
“Take the Plunge and be a part of us at Rejects Beer Co. after to honor Charlie Wright,” O’Leary mentioned.
For many who are unable to attend however need to assist, AWCT has two shops for folks to donate. They’ll both go to Venmo and provides at @awishcometrue or go to www.bidpal.internet/19thannualpolarplunge to make a pledge.
