LEESBURG – Once the countdown to the new year reaches zero, many daredevils will begin the countdown to Pie Eyed Petey’s Polar Bear Plunge. “Since orange is the new black this year, and orange is the color of hunger, sweatshirts will be orange and those giving a donation of $10 or more will get an orange and white T-shirt. Only the people who actually jump in the lake can actually receive a T-shirt,” Petey’s co-owner Barb Hamer said in an interview Dec. 16. The seventh annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 16, with plunges commencing at 1 p.m. It benefits the food pantries in Syracuse and North Webster. “We have to have a minimum $10 donation to get a T-shirt because this is a charity event,” Hamer said. Since the Polar Bear Plunge is becoming more and more well-known, Hamer said, “People really do appreciate when they see a Polar Bear Plunge sweatshirt or T-shirt. It lets everyone in the community show that you really do care. No one wants anyone to go to bed at night hungry. It’s a terrible thing in the land of plenty.” Jumpers also can bring non-perishable items to donate to the pantries. That can include diapers, toilet paper or “whatever they have,” Hamer said. Petey’s, 70 EMS T17 Lane, Leesburg, also is donating part of the proceeds from its drinks and limited menu that day to the food pantries. “So prices will be a little higher this year than last year because we need more funds to help support the food bank,” Hamer said. The menu will include a chili and grilled cheese combo or a quarter of a large pizza for $6. Back in January, the sixth annual event collected over $3,000 in monetary donations, not including the food items. “The food bank can do so much more with their purchasing power of a dollar than we as civies can. They get it so cheap from the North Central Food Bank, that’s where they buy it. That dollar goes far longer than any of us can purchase. The power of that dollar is far greater when it’s given to the food banks,” Hamer said. She emphasized that no alcohol will be permitted on the premises unless it is purchased at Petey’s bar. “And that means we will check bags if necessary,” Hamer said. The Tiki bar outside will be open, and there will be tables and some portable heaters to keep patrons and participants warm outdoors. Warm areas for people to change clothes after the plunge, a bathroom and portable bathroom will be provided. Hamer reminded participants to wear their swim socks in and out of the water. There will be sand down for traction. “You must be 18 to jump. You have to be 21 to get inside the fence. Anyone under the age of 21, please, you won’t be allowed to enter the fence,” Hamer cautioned. “We do check IDs, too.” There will be a shuttle to take people from their cars to Petey’s. Hamer advised that people should park “as they can” but they should be considerate of the neighbors. On CR 450, participants can park at Petey’s boat storage building, too, and shuttles will be available from there as golf carts as available. “We’d like to thank all of our friends and neighbors and businesses for their generosity in supporting this event every year,” Hamer said. She also thanked the Kosciusko Dive Team and North Webster EMS for “always being on hand and providing us with safety matters because safety is our first priority here. We all want to have a good time, but we want everyone to be safe.” And if anyone sees a person wearing a Polar Bear Plunge sweatshirt or T-shirt, Hamer said, “Thank them for their generous help and also for the kindness they have made to others.” Being the seventh year for the event, Hamer concluded, “Hopefully, it’s a bigger, better, brighter year. Hopefully, we have a nice turnout and we have a wonderful crowd like we always do. I’m just looking forward to seeing old faces and some new people.”
