People who want to jump into the freezing cold water for a good cause on New Year's Day are in luck. Not one but two local organizations will be hosting plunge events that day. Take your pick, or try to make both without getting stopped for speeding.

Mentor Rhode Island 

On Jan.1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the annual Frozen Clam Dip and Obstaplunge will be taking place at Goddard State Park Beach in Warwick. 

Mentor RI President and CEO Jo-Ann Schofield said Ryan McGowan from Laid-back Fitness “dreamed up their event.”

“At first, we only dipped in the water, then we added the ‘Obstacle Course’ option in 2016, so participants have the option to either stick with the traditional dip or run a half mile obstacle course before jumping into the water and the ‘ObstaPlunge’ was born.  It’s been a hit,” said Schofield. 

On average before the pandemic Schofield said that the organization was able to net more than $10,000 each year.

“If you ever wanted to try a New Year’s Day dip this is your chance,” said Schofield. “Or just come down to cheer us on. The first wave of participants begins at 11am with family friendly waves for participants of all ages and abilities. At noon we will do the straight run to the water for folks that want to just Dip, like me. Then for the more serious ninjas out there, we’ll have afternoon waves until 1 p.m. 

With the pandemic in full swing last year Mentor Rhode Island had to postpone the event until March. Despite changing the date and with many fewer participants, Schofield said the organization was still able to net around $8,000. 

To participate in this year’s event participants are asked to make a donation of $40 and then register for a specific time slot, which can be done when they register. The money raised will go towards the organization. 

“Through our direct service, school-based mentoring programs we serve 250 young people. We also have a network of more than 60 mentoring programs that we support through offering their staff best practices and training,” said Schofield. “Collectively, those programs serve over 5,000 young people throughout the State of Rhode Island.” 

Schofield said that she is hopeful that the event will yield a large turnout. 

“Not only is it fun, but of course, it’s supporting a great cause,” said Schofield.  “Since the pandemic we have seen such an increased need for mentoring throughout the community. Our kids need us now more than ever.”

To register for the event visit www.mentorri.org/events.

A Wish Come True 

When Mary-Kate O'Leary took over as Executive Director of A wish Come True three years ago she didn’t know much about polar plunges.

But in her second year on the job she thought she needed to be a role model and decided to join in the fun, which meant jumping into the cold water at Easton Beach on New Year’s Day. 

“It's fun, it's cold, but it's refreshing and you feel really good afterwards,” said O’Leary. 

After taking place virtually last year due to COVID the organization is looking forward to the 18th annual polar plunge challenge on Jan. 1 starting at 12 p.m. sharp at Easton Beach. 

In previous years O’Leary said that the organization didn’t charge participants for the event and instead relied solely on sponsors and from collecting money from those who attended during a free will collection. 

Pre COVID, O’Leary said that the organization would raise about $10,000 a year from the event, and they would usually have about 5,000 people who attended as either participants or to watch. 

This year O’Leary said that they will be charging $20 a participant. 

“Since it's a charity event people were okay with paying the $20,” said O’Leary. 

Proceeds from this year’s event will go towards nine year old Benjamin and Elijiah who is five years old. Both of them want to go to Disney World. 

Those who donate $40, will have the chance to plunge and get their choice of a towel or fleece blanket. 

O’Leary said that people can contribute without plunging. With a $25 donation people will receive a towel, fleece blanket or T-shirt. 

O’Leary said that since the event was done virtually last year, she thinks many people are excited to brave the cold by jumping into the water to start the new year. 

“I think people are chomping at the bit to get out,” said O’Leary. 

Aside from resuming the in person plunge again this year O’Leary said that this year’s plunge is an important because it's the first event during the organization’s 40th anniversary year. 

O’Leary said that the organization’s goal is to raise $400,000 this year in addition to their normal fundraising goals. Through those funds they will be able to give wishes to 40 families. 

In years before the pandemic, O’Leary said that A Wish Come True was able to provide wishes to 25 to 30 kids. Each wish costs $5,000 to $7,000 depending on the size of the child’s immediate family.

“The most popular wish is to take a trip to Florida, which includes a stay at Give Kids The World and trips to Disney, Universal and Sea World,” the organization’s website states. “Other popular wishes include shopping sprees, sports related experiences and visits to meet celebrities. These are just a few examples of the more than 1,600 wishes we have granted during the last 38 years.”

In 2020, O’Leary said that they were only able to grant 14 wishes due to the pandemic and in 2021 they did 15. Currently 38 children are on the referral list. 

In order to qualify the child must be between the ages of 3 to 18 and have a life threatening illness. The child must not have had a wish granted by another wish granting organization, and the child must live in Rhode Island or areas of Southeastern Massachusetts.

To register for the plunge visit www.awish.org