The Hudson Youth Department provides safe space, recreation, and wonderful opportunities for young people to learn and grow. The plunge specifically supports their Waterfront Program, providing free lifeguard training to local youth who wouldn’t otherwise have access to this certification and employment opportunity. High school students don't just learn CPR, first aid and lifesaving skills, but they acquire valuable workforce skills such as leadership, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication. Over the three years the Plunge has supported this training, the crew has become both more diverse and more highly trained. This benefits the entire community, since it allows expanded hours of swimming at the beach and free swim lessons for local kids.
The Hudson Fire Department all volunteer Water Rescue and Dive Team is one of the best trained units in the Hudson Valley. We're a river city, after all, and every year this team answers emergency calls up down the Hudson. Our water rescue team is one of only 4 departments north of the Tappan Zee (aka Mario Cuomo) Bridge that is part of the U.S. Coastguard Fire and Rescue Taskforce. And, the only one with the distinction of being all volunteer! Funds from the plunge provide advanced training year round for the team and keep their equipment up to industry standards. Thanks to the Plunge, these fine men and women and our whole community are safer on the water!