Participants head into the Allegheny River Tuesday for the annual Parker Polar Plunge. More than 250 people took part. At 1 p.m., a cannon was fired and the first group hit the water. Because of all the rain, the river was higher this year than usual.

PARKER — More than 250 thick-skinned local residents kicked off 2019 by throwing themselves into the frigid Allegheny River, but it was all for several good causes.

Mandy Libecco, president of the Parker Polar Plunge nonprofit group, said 255 brave souls participated in the 13th annual event on Tuesday afternoon at the Parker boat launch.

Between each participant's $10 registration fee, a basket and 50/50 raffle, donations and sponsors, $3,758 was raised this year.

Libecco said all proceeds benefit various causes, including Hunt For Life, which provides a wildlife experience to children with illnesses or whose families are in crisis, as well as the Boys and Girls Club, Parker and Emlenton volunteer fire departments and local families in need.

The youngest “plunger” was 9 years old, and Libecco said she saw some gray-covered heads in the water as well.

“I had some who were upward of 60 years old,” she said.

Libecco explained that because the level of the mighty Allegheny was double its normal height due to recent rains, the participants entered the 34-degree water in groups, so river rescue volunteers from the Emlenton and Parker volunteer fire departments could keep a close eye on them.

“We want to make sure it's 100 percent safe,” she said.

Emlenton Ambulance was standing by at the event in case of an emergency, of which there has only been one in 13 years. Lower Kiski Ambulance also waited at the ready this year in case a plunger needed to be rescued.

“We had an asthma attack one year, but he was treated there and everything was fine,” Libecco said.

At 1 p.m. sharp, a cannon was fired and the first group of plungers ran shrieking toward their freezing fate.

She said some dress up in costume, while others hop in wearing their street clothes and some wear bikinis.

“We had a man in a thong once,” Libecco said, chuckling at the memory.

Plungers are free to use whichever method they can tolerate when entering the murky water, she said.

“Some people go in up to their ankles and come out, and others spend two or three minutes in there,” Libecco said. “I've never done the plunge, but my daughter, Willow, does it every year.”

Although the river remained in fluid form this year, the plunge goes on even when Mother Nature casts a crust of ice over the Allegheny. Libecco said Parker Township sends a public works crew and heavy machinery to chop out a clearing in the ice so that the plunge can be held.

A huge bonfire at the launch awaits the shaking plungers when they exit the river. Their families and friends typically provide them with towels or blankets.

“I absolutely love and appreciate everyone who comes and does it,” she said.

More information is available on the Parker Polar Plunge Facebook page.