Sorry about the video. It's hard to organize everyone, make announcements, DJ, and try to film all at the same time. I am also trying to figure out why there is no sound.. BTW I spent 21 seconds in the water this year.

 March 20, 2011 Dozens take the chilly Roaming Shores plunge to benefit the community By WARREN DILLAWAY - warren@starbeacon.com
ROAMING SHORES — Pink flamingos joined bikini-clad women and men wearing pink to participate in the 2011 Roaming Shores Polar Bear Plunge Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a good cause ... for the kids. It’s all about the kids,” said Jim Bogardus of Roaming Shores, who has made the chilly plunge numerous times during the last four years.
“I think every time it (the cold water) surprises me,” he said.

Sixty nine people ran into the chilly water as emergency personnel in wet suits gave them high fives during a short semi-circle run through the water.

Chris Plickert and Sean Morris created the event six years ago after a discussion with Jeff Meddock, who was an administrator at Pymatuning Valley High School at the time.

Shelby Baker, a senior at Pymatuning Valley, said she participates to support Meddock who died several years ago. “He’d be proud of us,” she said.
“The worst part is going in. Coming out you feel nothing,” Baker said.

Plickert and Morris said they never dreamed the event would grow as much as it has. “This is more than we’ve ever had,” Plickert said. He also credited Carrie Morris, secretary/treasurer of the organization with providing much of the organization for this year’s event that raised more than $4,000 for area causes.

The Conversation Station, Rock Creek Community Center, the Jeffrey B. Meddock Memorial Scholarship, The Jason Scribben Memorial Volleyball Tournament and the children of Roaming Shores Breakfast with Santa.

Kate Smith, a student at Penn State and a resident of Philadelphia, came all the way to Roaming Shores for the big event. “I lived down here on the lake last summer,” she said
“It wasn’t all that bad,” she said after exiting the water carrying an inflatable alligator.

John Sintic II, of Rock Creek, was dressed in a pink Hunter’s Hotties T-shirt while dashing through the water with a big smile on his face. He thanked the fire departments for providing support to the event including the Ashtabula County Dive Team.
“I’d do it again ... I’m ready to go again,” he said.