After two cancellations because of the weather, the 13th Annual Polar Plunge to benefit Marian Catholic High School of Hometown was finally held Saturday at the Mauch Chunk Lake, Jim Thorpe.

Approximately 20 men and women braved the gusty winds and the cold to take a quick dip in the lake. The alternate way to participate, the “chicken” level, was to donate money, receive a T-shirt, and stay relatively dry.

Most of those who chose to jump in the lake were repeat jumpers.

“My sons are graduates of Marian,” Cathy Boyer of Walnutport explained on why she took part.

Father and son team, Ed and Matthew Dougherty of Lancaster, were back again.

“We did this the past five years,” Ed said. “We keep calling people to get in it.”

Jack Boyle and Lee O’Donnell, graduates from Marian in 1971, were back for their third year.

“Three years ago, we did this in honor of one of our classmates, who wanted to do it; but, was unable to because of health reasons,” Boyle explained.

“The worst part of the body to get cold is the feet,” O’Donnell stated.

There were some new participants, too. Kathy Koch of Schuylkill Haven said she found out about it on the Facebook page.

“A friend and I were supposed to do this together,” Koch said. “Unfortunately, he’s sick, so I’m still doing this. We just decided to do this because we wanted to. It’s kind of freeing, and I do it for mental health benefits and the physical benefits, too.”

“We do have very heated changing rooms today,” organizer Kathy Goff said. “It will be a nice place to change after you jump.

“The money is used for the school for all kinds of stuff; for academics, for the Blue & Gold Club, for sports equipment, STEM classes, the drama club,” Goff said. “Anybody who comes to us with a request, we try to fulfill it.”

Goff also offered thanks to the Onoko Fire & Rescue team of Jim Thorpe and the Lehighton Ambulance, both on standby in case of emergency.

“We were in touch with the chief and also with the fire commissioner, and very supportive of the event. I can’t say enough wonderful things about our fire department; the fact that they’re willing to come out and do this for us every year.”

Goff also thanked Magic 105.5, who was broadcasting live, and all the volunteers who helped.