The icy plunge in Coney Island has been a New Year’s Day tradition in New York since 1903.
NEW YORK CITY — Marilyn Abalos, a graduate of St. Paul College of Manila, will join hundreds of Polar Bears and dozens of Penguins at the Coney Island Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day to benefit her alma mater.
“I am thrilled to chill for cash in the ice-cold ocean for St. Paul. St. Paul has kept my head above water and warmed my heart!” she said.
“Shiver for silver for our schools and organizations!” Marilyn said, “There is still time to sign up and take the Pauline Polar Plunge with me!”
(To Smile or Shiver in support of the Pauline Polar Plunge: Visit Paypal.com and donate to: spmausa@gmail.com )
Founded in 1903, Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the U.S. The club and a few other organizations have used the event to raise funds for Special Olympics, Camp Sunshine and You Gotta Believe, dedicated to recruiting lifetime parents for young adults, teens and tweens currently in the foster care system.
Abalos has invited the Coalition of Philippine University Alumni Associations to chill for cash at the 2016 Pauline Polar Plunge, as well as a few Filipino American organizations in New York. There is a $25 donation to participate.
She is also inviting friends and colleagues who prefer instead to smile at the shivering and donate those dollars. “Help me make sure that no student at St. Paul is left out in the cold with no education, no opportunities for a better life.
Support for the Pauline Polar Plunge will go to the St. Paul Alumnae’s Fleur-de-Lis Fund for education scholarships, St. Paul Music Therapy and community projects.
Donations to St. Paul Manila have provided aid for over 150 scholars to pursue education from marketing to commerce programs and enabled a 68 percent increase in music therapy students learning to serve children with disabilities through music.
Temperature for New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2016 is expected to be 47 degrees. Those who will join Abalos in the water are advised to bring old sneakers or surf boots and towels.
All others should wear warm clothes and bring “pera” for the Paulinians! Donations will be accepted throughout the month of January. For more information where to meet up at Mermaid Avenue, contact spmausa@gmail.com
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