While some were hiding from the cold this weekend, others were embracing it.
The second annual Freezin’ for a Reason! Polar Plunge took place on Saturday at the St. Clair College Thames Campus in Chatham. Participants jumped into an icy cold pool all for a good cause.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) hosted the plunge and announced the event raised a total of $40,000, which was double their goal and $26,000 more than they raised in 2018.
CKPS Constable Jason Herder took part in the fun, despite the fact that temperatures were well into the negatives.
"It was cold, colder than last year," said Herder. "Definitely colder than last year. Not what I was expecting when I hit the water, that's for sure."
Herder estimated that about 100 people took part in the plunge. With the success of this year's event, they already have the date set for 2020's plunge- January 18th.
"I can't even describe how much of a success this was. Everything that we've planned over the last five months, our expectations were just blown away," Herder said.
All of the funds raised will directly benefit Special Olympics Ontario.
-With files from Cheryl Johnstone