CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- About a dozen people stripped down to their bathing suits on a cold New Year's Day and jumped into frigid Lake Michigan for a cause.
It was the 12th annual polar plunge to benefit American Greyhound, an organization that finds homes for former racing dogs. As the sun rose this morning, the group's president, Jeff Coggins, stood with a Bloody Mary in his hand, looking out over the waves crashing onto North Avenue Beach.
He said the drink wasn't going to help much.
The air temperature was about 30 degrees. The wind chill made it feel much colder. The water temperature was 37 degrees.
And while that gave some people pause, they each fulfilled their promise to people who pledged about $13,000 to the organization.
Kylana Garrison looked very cold, even with a winter coat, as she prepared to jump in.
"It's a slap in the face, but it brings you into reality that it's a new year, its a new start, it's something different and unique and it's a way to start the year off on the right foot," she said.
One of the swimmers added: "That was awesome. It was cold but it was awesome."
He said his strategy was to just do it.