Dear Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who donated and otherwise supported Green Neighbors in the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) 10th Annual Keep-Winter-Cold Polar Bear Plunge, which is CCAN’s biggest fundraising event, powering victories to move our region off of fossil fuels and to clean energy. Each year, activists, friends and families show their commitment to fighting climate change by jumping in the icy Potomac River.

Our plungers all made it through with flying colors. Annette was our first-time plunger, which made the experience all the more exciting. Our vets shared some helpful advice, like:

• Don’t count on being able to move your feet to get them into shoes after the plunge; bring slippers or easy slip-on shoes
• Similarly, don’t count on being able to use your hands post-plunge(no shoelaces to tie!)
• It may seem like a good idea to wear clothes into the icy water for protection, but post-plunge is where the real cold sets in! You can go light on the clothes for the plunge and bring loose, warm clothing for after.
• Have fun and soak in the excitement. The plunge over before you know it.

There were excellent costumes (salad, polar bear, superheros, and a large group from the Franciscan Action Network that wore robes) and speakers that rallied us all (including Reverend Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus and U.S. Representative Donna Edwards of Maryland).

It was great to get together and support each other as Green Neighbors for the plunge, and it was also inspiring to see so many different groups and individuals dedicated to this same cause.

With your help, we raised enough funds to benefit not only CCAN, an excellent organization and partner, but also Green Neighbors itself. Please let us know if you have an idea for a great neighborhood project to which we can dedicate some of these newly raised funds!

Thank you for helping us keep winter cold.