YMCA invites community to Plunge for a Purpose

COXSACKIE―If you’ve ever wanted to prove you’re as tough as a polar bear in the winter, the Greene County YMCA is once again inviting the public to take the plunge.

Plunge for a Purpose is back for 2026, bringing equal parts adrenaline, laughter and community spirit to the shoreline of the Hudson River.

After a weather-related delay, the plunge will now take place on Sunday, March 15 at 10 a.m. at Riverside Park in Coxsackie.

It had originally been scheduled earlier, but frozen water over the park stairs made conditions unsafe—a reminder that while polar plungers may be fearless, the YMCA must still prioritize safety.

Now in its second year, the plunge serves as a fundraiser for the Greene County YMCA to support community programs.

“It’s something fun,” said Michele Johnson, the senior program director who has been with the organization since 2022.

She came up with the idea when trying to think of a different type of fundraiser that more people could take part in and raise community awareness for the YMCA and its programs.

Last January, the Greene County YMCA held its first-ever Plunge for a Purpose at the Earlton Hill Campground where 39 brave souls stripped down into shorts, tank tops and bathing suits for a dip in the icy lake.

The strategy is simple: get in, get out, and get into warm clothes―immediately.

Among those who participated last year was Mary Reed of Coxsackie who had never done a polar plunge before. But she said Johnson had created quite a frenzy about it at the YMCA and she talked herself into it.

“Actually, it felt pretty good,” Reed had said. “It wasn’t half as bad as I thought it was going to be.”

Johnson is once again making sure things run smoothly into freezing water for a good cause. And she doesn’t just coordinate from the sidelines. She also participates.

Part of what keeps the event fresh is that the YMCA is changing the plunge location each year, turning it into a kind of roaming, cold-water tradition.

Participants can register in one of two ways: $25 to take the plunge or $55 to plunge and receive a sweatshirt featuring a polar bear and the words, “I Survived the Greene County Y Plunge”

For those who prefer to support the cause without sacrificing their circulation, Johnson said there have also been people who show up just to donate and watch—in order to help the community.

This year's proceeds will be going to the “Membership For All” program that helps people find affordable enrollment at the Greene County YMCA’s community focused health and wellness amenities.

As of now, there are already 17 registrants signed up.

For more information or to register, contact the Greene County YMCA at 518-731-7529 or visit cdymca.org.