I'm back for my annual ice bath, this year with team Wild and Crazy! I know some of you think I'm actually insane, so it seemed like a fitting name for our team! Why do I look forward to this goofy event and jumping into freezing cold water? Well, believe it or not it feels GREAT! But there are two bigger reasons – I love the organizations this event supports. 

The first is the Hudson Youth Department, an amazing crew that 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 life skills such as leadership, collaborative teamwork, and effective communication. Over the three years we have supported this training the crew has become more diverse and more highly trained. We also provide funds to have many more hours of lifeguards and safe free public swimming at the beach, benefiting the entire community. 

The second reason is the Hudson Fire Department Water Rescue and Dive Team, 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  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 Funds from the plunge provide advanced training year round for the team and allow them to upgrade aging and out of date equipment, so that they stay safe while keeping us safe.

Please be as generous as you can in support of these great water safety teams, and my wild and crazy antics!