By Dorothy K. LaMantia | Correspondent

Winter afternoons are usually desolate at the Jersey Shore, but the Polar Plunge brought a crowd of 1,500 to the beach at Sea Bright, Jan. 8.  With air and water temperatures mercifully registering a comparatively mild 47 degrees, 500 ran into the waves accompanied by the music of bagpipes and the cheers of the crowd.

This year’s group from St. Aloysius Parish and School, Jackson, numbered 215, a handsome increase from last year’s field of 68, and managed to raise $25,000. School principal Elizabeth O’Connor promised to brave the icy waters herself if her students raised $15,000 in pledges. 

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“It’s an exciting event to be part of,” said O’Connor.  “The whole school and church community has come together to brave the elements.  It’s an event where families come together to do something fun and raise money for the school.”

Other parish and school leaders led their contingents into the water, including Msgr. Kenard Tuzeneu of St. Mary Parish, Barnegat, who joined students from All Saints Regional, Manahawkin;  William Cardone, principal of St. James Elementary, Red Bank, and Melissa Whelan Wisk, principal, Mother Teresa Regional School, Atlantic Highlands. Wisk acknowledged this year’s plunge was her sixth.

Last year, Bishop David O’Connell, C.M., led the charge into the surf.

Not only was St. Aloysius’ attendance markedly greater, but schools outside of the Diocese of Trenton, participated as well. Schools from the Trenton Diocese included St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Holy Family, Lakewood; Mater Dei Prep and St. Mary School, New Monmouth; Red Bank Catholic High School; St. Benedict, Holmdel;  St. Leo the Great, Lincroft   and St. Rose of Lima, Freehold  

The event originated in 2006 with Jim Shaw, Middletown, of the AOH as its moving spirit.  “It started out that Mater Dei High School, where my daughter ran on the track team, wanted to build a new track.  We raised $16,000 and an individual matched the funds.  The entire track team wrapped their arms around each other and ran into the water together.  It was a crazy idea, but the Hibernians supported me.  I couldn’t have done it without them.  It was such fun that we all said, ‘Let’s do it again.’”

Word traveled, and interest in participation grew as some parish schools faced financial troubles. The Hibernians developed a mission to give more children the opportunity to attend Catholic schools. Each year the plunge became bigger and better.

“The plunge costs the schools nothing,” said coordinator Shaw. “They take 100 percent of what they pledged back to their own schools. One school last year used the money to create an art department. Another school developed a free tuition program for children whose parents are sick.”

Buoyed by this year’s progress, Shaw envisions more growth in the years ahead.  “Maybe by the 10th year, I hope we will raise $1 million dollars for our schools.  It would be great if this could become the kickoff for Catholic Schools Week,” he said.

The event, receiving great support from the police department of Sea Bright and sponsored by Guinness, was hosted by Merri-Makers of Water’s Edge, Ocean Avenue, and provided an array of festivities for onlookers and plungers, including volleyball games, live bands, refreshments, and the option to watch the New York Giants’ game.

“It was a great day of fun with parents, teachers, priests, nuns and students going in together to benefit our Catholic schools,” Shaw added