The snow has just begun to fall and the temperature has reached a whopping 21 degrees, so, do you think it’s warm enough for a swim?

The GHS Interact Club, and the North Shore Rotary Organization held the sixth annual polar plunge to raise money and awareness for Polio on Saturday, January 23rd.

More than two hundred people from all over Cape Ann came to witness the event at Long Beach in Rockport.

“It is a great feeling to help because I know it is for a good cause,” said junior Interact board member Karissa Murray. “This may sound a little crazy, but after participating in the plunge it feels refreshing.”

North shore participants collectively raised $65,000 for Polio. The money raised went to countries that can’t afford the polio vaccine.

Interact Clubs from other schools in the area helped to raise money for the event through sponsorship and direct donations.

“The polar plunge was a little more chaotic this year because there was a smaller beach due to high tide,” said history teacher and Interact adviser, Michael Perrault.  “The weather was really windy and cold, so the plunge was not as fun as last year. The riptide was so bad that participants could not go past their knees in the water.”

Some of the participants dressed up to run into the water. There were people dressed as astronauts, polar bears, and even someone as Sebastian the Crab.

“We put ourselves in situations that are not particularly pleasurable for a cause,” said Perrault.

For more information about GHS Interact club, see Mr. Perrault in room 2217