On a cool winter morning, a group of people stand on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay…in bathing suits. For all intents and  purposes, it seems as if they are going to actually jump in what can only be described as freezing cold water. Given the wild winter that the northeast has seen so far, it is difficult to imagine that anyone would be willing to take this plunge. But that is exactly what they did.

Among this group of “polar bears,” as those who dipped into the icy water in the middle of winter call themselves, is a group of some of Iona College’s finest students.

Joining the “polar bears” on their quick dip are juniors Grace Romanelli, Amelia DiCicco, Conor McWain and Ryan Oldendorf. With the water around 33 degrees Fahrenheit, some might be quick to call these kids crazy. It’s clear, however, that there is a method to the madness associated with their icy plunge.

For their part, these students are not jumping into the Chesapeake for no good reason—they are attached to a group of individuals associated with Maryland’s Polar Bear Plunge Fest, an annual event now 15 years strong that champions the Special Olympics in the state. In a St. Baldrick’s-type event, plungers acquire sponsors that donate on their behalf to take the dip into the freezing cold water.

“The plunge was to raise money for the Special Olympics in Maryland,” Oldendorf said. “It was hosted by the Maryland State Troopers. Basically, people from all over, mostly Maryland, pledged money to individuals who were to run into the Chesapeake.”

For the polar bears, the dip in the Chesapeake was only one part of the day.

As Oldendorf notes, the Maryland State Troopers did a tremendous job of organizing an entire day and festival of family fun, which was marked by an appearance by “Jersey Shore” personality DJ Pauly D.

“This was no mere trip to the beach,” Oldendorf said.

According to Oldendorf, the students’ participation in the event was organized mainly by Romanelli, who took the initiative and researched the “Plunge Fest.”

The effort she and her friends took was certainly not in vain. Between the four students, Oldendorf estimates that they were able to raise over $700 for the Special Olympics in Maryland. For four people, that amount is certainly nothing to scoff at.

The student’s participation in the event that was independent of any college function, and is a testament to the overall heart of Iona students.

On their own volition, these students ventured out and independently championed a cause, something which is, to say the least, worthy of accolades and praise.

Despite the water being chilly, one of Iona’s “polar bears” implied that another plunge wasn’t totally out of the question.

“I would definitely do another plunge,” Oldendorf stated. “But please…let me put a warm summer between me and the next one.”

The “MSP Polar Bear Plunge Fest” is an annual event which has been occurring for the past 15 years and will continue into the foreseeable future. To date, the organization has raised over two million dollars for the Special Olympics in the state of Maryland.