Polar Plungers are freezin’ for a reason

We would like to take a minute to say something nice about a bunch of people crazy enough to go swimming in the winter.

First, we commend their ability to draw a crowd outdoors in the winter.

Started in 2004, over its lifetime the Mat-Su Polar Plunge has raised about $70,000 for local charities. It started with 20 jumpers and is expected to draw in more than 100 this year.

In fact, the event has grown so much it had to find a bigger home this year. More than 1,000 people are expected to show up Feb. 18 at Rumrunner's at Mat-Su Resort to watch their neighbors do something no one in their right mind should.

Second, we'd like to commend Sertoma, organizer of the plunge, for its fundraising acumen.

Last year, $19,500 went to Turn A Leaf thrift store because of these brave, freezing souls. This year, money raised will be and donated to Special Olympics Mat-Su and Valley Performing Arts.

But the nicest thing we could say about the Polar Plunge is that the whole thing, start to finish, is local.

The jumpers are local. Their funders are local. The beneficiaries are local. It's neighbor helping neighbor. It's Facebook friends pushing each other to make the Plunge.

The annual event also is a great place to people-watch. Indeed, be they fire captains, business leaders, city councilmen or even a certain Valley-transplanted former mayor of Anchorage, if you want to find a Valley mover or shaker come Feb. 18, you'd be wise to start looking around that hole in Wasilla Lake. If you don't want to jump, consider standing nearby and egging on your neighbors.

Between the costumes jumpers wear and the encouragement and good-natured teasing they receive, the Polar Plunge is easily among our favorite winter events to cover.

That the charities are local is heartening to the philanthropically inclined among us. Like many these days, our household budgets are tight, and so we especially like knowing that when we donate to the Polar Plunge that money stays here in the Mat-Su Valley to help our local homegrown nonprofits.

This year, those generous folks who donate will get to see their money return to our community in the form of sporting equipment for Special Olympics Mat-Su and a new device to allow the hearing impaired to take in local theater performances at Valley Performing Arts.

So dig deep, Mat-Su, and give generously knowing that all money given will be invested here at home.

If you make the plunge, you'll be in good company, too. We can't say who it is yet, but one of our staff - and his handsome son - are considering taking the plunge.

If you think you are tough enough to brave that ice-cold water, we hear there's still time to sign up online at matsuplunge.org. Or, people can pledge online at matsuplunge.org.

Thank you Sertoma, Polar Plungers, donors and everyone who joins in to make this event a spectacular highlight of the winter season.