The sun was shining for Saturday’s Polar Plunge, but that didn’t make things much better for the dozens of thrillseekers who took the plunge to benefit St. Joseph’s Regional Academy.

The winter tradition, held by SJRA’s Home School Association, is now in its third year.Forty-three people jumped into the icy waters of Mauch Chunk Lake Saturday morning.Despite sunny conditions, a marked change from last year, the lake was still solid with ice.“The last two years, we definitely had a couple inches of snow,” Kathy Goff, SJRA Home School Association presdient said.The 43 plungers went into the water one by one before running off to a warming hut set up at the park.Tom Duffy Jr. and Andy Brewer of Collegeville jumped, but they gave credit for the idea to Duffy’s father, Tom Sr.The day was just as fun for the students, parents, and friends of SJRA. There was a polar bear mascot for the plungers, and a “chicken” mascot for those who supported the event, but weren’t in the mood to plunge. They were joined by the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins’ mascot, Slapshot.“It’s not just a fundraiser, it’s a fun day in the sun for students and their families,” Goff said.