Fifty-seven people from 11 different counties braved the 20 degree weather on Saturday at noon and plunged into the frigid waters of M Mauch Chunk Lake, Jim Thorpe, helping to raise more than $5,000 for the Blue and Gold Club of Marian Catholic High School, Hometown.

The 12th Annual Polar Plunge drew visitors from Carbon, Schuylkill, Lancaster, Lehigh, Berks, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. The oldest jumper was 76 years old.

Kathy Goff, a member of the Blue and Gold Club who has coordinated the plunge since its inception, said the event went off without a hitch, but not before volunteers from the Lehighton Fire Department came to the aid of the event sponsors.

She explained the Jim Thorpe Fire Department, which for the previous 11 years opened up a channel in the ice, was unable to do so at the last minute after its members were occupied by a severe fire in East Jim Thorpe the previous day. That’s when the Lehighton unit came to Marian’s rescue.

Goff said she was relieved when the Lehighton department members took over at the last minute, cutting the ice, estimated to be 6-8 inches thick, to give the plungers access to the freezing water.

“I cannot express how thankful I am that they were able to assemble that team so quickly and come out and help us,” Goff remarked. “Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to do.”

With the ice being so thick, the firemen cut a channel in it using chain saws, and they then stood by as the participants jumped into the frigid water, making sure safety was paramount.

Plungers Holly Stanton and David Bair of East Stroudsburg won the Best Costume Award from Ann Marie Calabrese, host of “Stuck in the 80s,” dressed as a bride and groom (he was the bride, she was the groom).

Stanton said they chose those costumes because “We want to win first prize!”

Joe Morningstar of Hazleton won a Best Costume Award from the Blue and Gold Club, winning a supply of jerky donated by the House Of Jerky, Jim Thorpe, for his turtle costume.

John Walaitis of Myersville and Bev Davalis from Schuylkill Haven were there to take part. This was Walaitis’ third year, Davalis’ first.

“I have no idea what to expect; but, I’m excited,” Davalis exclaimed.

Walaitis, along with Ed and Matthew Dougherty of Lancaster, showed their support for the Philadelphia Eagles with E, A, and G on their chests; and L, E, and S on their backs.

Funds raised will go towards activities at Marian. “We use the money to help with equipment and uniforms for our athletic teams,” explained Jerome Dvorak, president of the Blue and Gold Club. “We help pay for the buses when our teams advance to playoff or championship games.”

The money also goes towards other extracurricular activities for the school, such as the drama club, the band and other clubs.

“We want our kids have a great education; but, it’s also imported to have these other activities to help them really excel and build a broader perspective of life,” Dvorak explained.

Goff added, “Pretty much, if anybody comes to us with a request, we try our best to accommodate them. It’s all for the school.”

Helping the club through sponsorships were:

Arctic sponsors: FCSLA, Joseph Puskar, Kelly Iron, Knights of Columbus, Panther Valley, Dr. Joanne Calabrese, Zimmerman’s Dairy, Bielen & Meiss Families, Mauch Chunk Trust, Dr. Joseph McGinley, Narrow Valley SportsPlex and Gerhard Roofing.

Frigid sponsors: Jane & Jack Malarkey, Magic 105.5, Catholic Churches of Jim Thorpe, Lisa Napoletano Running With the Angels, Jim Thorpe Dental and Dr. Jayendra Patel, The Times News and House of Jerky.

In-kind sponsors: Jim Thorpe Fire Department, Lehighton Fire Department and Lehighton Ambulance.