2013 KW Polar Plunge Fundraiser for KidsAbility

It always starts the same way, with the filling of an over sized kiddie pool. As the water line rises, more and more curious onlookers gather around and Polar Plunge participants begin to populate the lineup at the registration table. Eventually, the brave souls that sign up take turns throwing themselves into a frigid pool of water while the crowd cheers them on to raise money for the people and programs at KidsAbility. Aside from the fundraising aspect and the various sponsors and entertainers, the best thing about the Polar Plunge is that it is a remarkably good spectator sport. There’s nothing like seeing a half naked, half-man, half-horse, cannonball into icey water to make you appreciate a hot cup of coffee and warm place to go home to.I volunteered my time to document the second year of this new KW community event in 2013, and I’m happy to be returning to the Polar Plunge as the official event photographer again in 2014. I’m not the sort of person who enjoys being out in the cold, but hanging out with a crowd of soaking wet, half costumed people really made me appreciate the fact that I was wearing a camera and a coat as opposed to something spandex. Thanks to the event sponsors and the terrific team of volunteers that made the 2013 Plunge such a success.