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It’s too cold to be pretty.

And not a one of the 13 shiver-ers and shakers set to take the Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday is planning to make a fashion statement.

The “plunge” is set for 9 am. Saturday at the Troy Recreation Center’s outdoor swimming pool. Water temperature should be around 35 degrees. Plungers’ in and out time: about 2 seconds.

The Polar Bear Plunge is a fundraiser for the Troy/ Pike Habitat for Humanity. Dianna Lee, board member and public relations and fundraising chair, said it’s not too late to take the plunge.

Those who have reached their 18th birthday and have a heart for Habitat are invited and encouraged to polar-bear-up and take the plunge.  It’s simple and easy to enter just call Lee at 334-807-5113.

“We already have a great group of plungers and are looking forward to having even more,” Lee said. “The conditions for the Polar Bear Jump will be ideal – cold weather, icy water. So, why not?”

No reason not to, said Kathy Spivey, who, so far, is the only plunger to have Polar Bear Plunge experience.

“Several members of my extended family, including my siblings, took the Polar Bear Plunge on a New Year’s at Gulf Shores,” Spivey said. “But, it wasn’t a plunge, just a run into the beach.”

But Spivey was not a sissy. She went shoulder-deep into the cold, cold Gulf and her husband and brothers stayed the course “just a little longer.”

Spivey said, as an experienced plunger, she will be properly attired for colder weather plunging.

And, as a veteran plunger, her entry into the pool might be more innovative. However, there will be nothing innovative about her rush back to the locker room.

To date, SARHA has two entries in the Polar Bear Plunge, Allen Wade and Lori Ann Davis.

Both said, as did Spivey, that they taking the plunge for a good cause, Troy/Pike Habitat for Humanity.

“And, too, who doesn’t like to jump into freezing water?” Wade said. “It’s going to be miserable! I’m going to jump in and jump out, look for my towel, dry off and head for home.”

But Wade said he’s also going to take advantage of the deep water.

“I’m not going plunge into shallow water,” he said. “No, I’m going to the deep end and I’m going all the way under water. No shallow water for me.”

Wade said he had considered wearing frog feet and a snorkel, just to be funny, but decided against it. “It’s going to be 35 degrees. That’s no time to be funny.”

Davis is approaching the Polar Bear Plunge in a serious and thoughtful way.

“Troy/Pike Habitat for Humanity is such a great cause and, too, I’ve never been in cold, cold water before,” she said. “I thought the Polar Bear Plunge would be interesting and fun … maybe. I just want to do it because I want to help.”

Lee said help is also available through corporate sponsorships that range from $100-$300.

For more information contact, Lee at 807-5113.

Funds raised through the Troy/Pike Habitat for Humanity Polar Bear Plunge will help reduce the cost of the Habitat home built in Pike County. There are currently 18 Habitat homes in Pike County.

“These are not free homes; they are no-interest mortgages and the families invest sweat-equity in the homes,” Lee said. “They also must help with the construction of another home. So, the money raised through the Polar Bear Plunge will make homes more affordable for those in Pike County who want and need a home.