Penguin Plunge held in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Hundreds bundled up to ward off the cold as they rooted for the hearty souls who took the plunge Saturday, the Penguin Plunge at Hampton Ponds in Westfield.

People were spoiled last year by the relatively mild weather with the temperature in the 40's. But according to 22News Storm Team Meteorologist Adam Strzempko, with the wind chill, it felt like temperatures were in the teens.

That didn't discourage people from doing what it took to raise money for Westfield's Amelia Park Children's Museum .

“This is our largest fundraiser of the year. It keeps our doors open, it pays utility bills it keeps our patrol funded,” said Daina Mclean the President of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum.

This was the second year that Joel and Tony Mugo of Westfield comprised a father and son team of Penguin Plungers. They didn't allow the conditions to effect them too much.

“Extreme, the water seemed kind of warm compared with the air temperature. It's a great cause, they do a lot for Westfield and my kids when they were young went there a lot,” said Tony Mugo of Westfield.

And as in year's past, State Representative Don Humason showed his support for the children's museum by taking the plunge.

New York City's Polar Bear Club gets national coverage every year. But people in Westfield would say they've got nothing on participants in the Penguin Plunge  who do this for a beloved Westfield institution.