Sea Bright, New Jersey – As water temperatures were estimated to be in the 40’s and the air only slightly warmer, more than 1,000 people ran into the ocean Sunday to support catholic education.
The 7th annual Ancient Order of Hibernians Polar Plunge raised more than $130,000, and money will go toward scholarships and financial aid for students, said event chairman Jim Shaw. More than 26 schools from throughout the state participated.
This was the first event held in Sea Bright since Hurricane Sandy battered the region, and many people came together to help make it happen, Shaw said.
“There’s total devastation around us, they’re [Sea Bright] trying to rebuild a beach, trying to rebuild a town, and they let us do this. So we’re really grateful that we’re even here today, we know that they really had to pull some strings to allow that to happen,” Shaw said.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians also donated $1,000 to each the police department, fire department and first aid squad in Sea Bright.