The first annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Forever Paws Animal Shelter took place on New Year's Day, 2011, at Sandy Beach in the City's South end. Sponsored by the Sandy Beach Neighborhood Association, the event drew about 200 people, most of them spectators, to watch several city officials and about forty others wade into the frigid water. Fortunately, the air temperature was approaching the fifty degree mark, unusually warm for a New Year's Day event. Mayor William Flanagan and City Councilor and Neighborhood Association president Pat Casey thanked everyone for their support of the Animal Shelter before they led the group into the water. Click here for the video of the event. Participant Grace Gerling, director of Community Development Recreation (CD-REC) reminded folks following the event that the 4th annual Fall River Fitness Challenge begins the following Saturday at 72 Bank Street. For more information, contact CD-REC Program Director Jamison Souza at 508-679-0922 or Healthy City Coordinator Dave Weed at 508-324-2411.

(Top row, left and center) Forever Paws Animal Shelter treasurer Beverly Andrade accepts pledges and donations from the crowd of supporters before the Plunge. (Top row, right) City Councilor and Neighborhood Association president Pat Casey speaks to the crowd as Mayor William Flanagan stands at her side. (Middle row) Fall River Community television cameraman Phil Sabatino videotapes Councilor Casey and Mayor Flanagan as they lead the crowd into the water. (Bottom row) After the swimmers emerge from the frigid water, Community Development Recreation program director Jamison Souza listens as director Grace Gerling prepares to record a message about the upcoming Fall River Fitness Challenge for a video.