“Holy Cross Academy’s participation has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to strong participation by students, faculty, staff, PTA and administration,” said Dr. Mark DeMareo, principal of the Rumson school. 

“Since our first year of participation in the Polar Plunge in 2017, the number of plungers has increased from 63 and we are anticipating approximately 125 [this year],” he said. “This event facilitates all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton to come together as a community.” 

While it’s been the tradition that the Polar Plunge for Catholic education coincides with the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, this year’s date has been moved to March 5. It will take place at the Sea Bright Municipal Beach at 1 p.m. 

In preparing for the Polar Plunge, which is sponsored by the Patrick Torphy Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Dr. DeMareo said that all students in Holy Cross Academy are actively involved in fundraising by obtaining sponsorships from family and friends. In the past, the PTA hosted a chili cook-off with parents entering their favorite chili recipe, and then all the students sampled and voted on their favorite choice. 
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In St. Mary School, Middletown, which has participated in the event since its inception 16 years ago, principal Craig Palmer said a committee oversees all aspects related to the Polar Plunge, including setting up an online site for donations connected to the  school website, running family/class/grade-level competitions with cash and prize incentives, doing digital and print advertising, soliciting in the community and parish, soliciting sponsorships from local businesses and charging a registration fee with every registrant receiving a school hat, scarf or gloves. This year blankets were sold as well, he said. 

“We have seen our fundraising efforts truly pay off over the past six years” said Palmer, who was named the school’s principal in 2016. 

“When I became principal, we raised about $10,000 during the event and in 2020, we raised $53,000 due to the efforts of my great school community and PTA,” he said, adding that the 2022 goal is $75,000. “We’ll see if the pandemic has a dampening effect on our fundraising capabilities,” he said, then noted that funds raised in the past were used to supplement the school’s technology funds and build a new science lab. This year’s funds will be earmarked for updating the school kitchen and cafeteria. 

Both Palmer and Dr. DeMareo praised the Patrick Torphy Division of the Hibernians for their longstanding support of Catholic education in the Diocese through sponsoring the Polar Plunge. 

“We are most grateful to the Hibernians, the assistance of local sponsors, police, fire and first aid departments for making the major fundraising event possible,” DeMareo said. 

“The event has seen tremendous growth with approximately 25 Catholic schools [from throughout the state] participating,” Palmer added. “It’s a great day and testimony to those who attend and work in our schools as to just how much our schools mean to them. 

“We cannot express how grateful we are to the AOH for doing this year after year,” Palmer said. “They are truly heroes for Catholic education.”