 |
| 2012 Plungers hit the surf. |
After near-destruction of the Andrea Hotel in Misquamicut during
Hurricane Sandy, new venue has been found for the annual WARM Center fundraiser
By Linda Felaco
Since moving back to RI, my husband and I have made it a New
Year’s tradition to head down to the Andrea Hotel in Misquamicut for the
Penguin Plunge. Not to jump in the ocean, mind you—being cold and wet doesn’t
appeal to either of us—but (1) to cheer on the participants, who are “Freezin’
for a reason” to raise money for the WARM
Center, (2) because we love the beach even in winter, and (3) because
it’s something we can do with the dogs, who love the beach as much as we do.
So after all the damage Sandy caused to Misquamicut and
particularly the Andrea Hotel, the site of the plunge for the last few years, I
feared there’d be no Penguin Plunge this year, which would surely have been a
blow to the WARM Center’s year-end fundraising. Will has written about their
work and the need
for their services, and how
to help the center meet those needs.
The good news is, an alternate location has been found in Watch
Hill and the Plunge is on.
On January 1, 2013, Penguins will be plunging at the beach in
Watch Hill next to the carousel at 12:00 noon sharp. Registration will begin at 10:30 at St. Clare
Church in Misquamicut Beach, on Crandall Ave. off Shore Rd. A police
escort will lead the Penguin Caravan the 2.8 miles to the beach in Watch Hill.
Plungers need to check in at St. Clare first. Registration will be closing at 11:30 a.m.
After the Plunge, Penguins will be served hot soup, hot coffee,
and sweet treats, as well as top fund raising awards. To register online, follow
this link.