WESTFIELD, MA (WSHM) -
Normally, with the weather Western Massachusetts has had lately, people would want to bundle up and wear as many layers of clothes possible.
Many city residents decided to go in the opposite direction on Saturday, as Hampton Ponds was the site of the 10th annual Penguin Plunge.
Residents needed to raise at least $50 for the Amelia Park Children's Museum to take part in the event.
Organizers said the plunge keeps growing, and that means more money for the museum.
"We made about $15,000 last year, but we will definitely blow that out of the water because we already hit that before we started today," said Diana McLean, president of the museum's board.
"It was worth it," said Frank Rios, a first-time plunger with his son. "We raised about $590 altogether. It went to a good cause."
State Sen. Don Humason was presented a "golden plunger" award at the start of Saturday's event.
It was in honor of Humason taking the plunge in all 10 years that it has been held.
Saturday, he went in alongside Tricia Knapik, wife of Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik.
Humason said it is a cold but enjoyable experience.
"Some people are really dramatic when they enter the water with belly flops or back flips," said Humason. "I'm just happy if I can walk in and walk out. But if you look around, it a great cause. There are so many people here. Some are plunging; some are spectating. Some are forecasting the weather from on scene."
CBS 3 Springfield's own Nick Morganelli was the emcee for Saturday's event.
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