On a chilly January 1st in 2004 at 1:00PM, 25 friends gathered at the shores of
the Atlantic Ocean to pay tribute to a friend who had passed away during a
triathlon the previous summer (James M. Davis). We shared memories and
laughed with one another and vowed to meet each other here next year at the
same place, at the same time, for another plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean.
Twelve months later, we were joined by more “penguins” and soon realized we
were starting a New Year’s tradition.

After the 2006 Penguin Plunge, we decided to make our efforts count and raise
funds to support the physical rehabilitation of another fellow athlete, Taylor
Hyman. We soon learned that people were thrilled to donate to a charity before
plunging into the ocean. More publicity followed with each subsequent event and
participation increased, as did the amount of donations received. In 2008,
Penguin Plunge became a 501c3 non-profit corporation and launched a website:
www.penguin-plunge.org. Taylor Hyman died on the 4th of July in 2009 and the
decision was made to continue supporting local Carteret County charities with
the funds raised during the annual Penguin Plunge event.

In 2010, a Penguin Plunge Facebook page was launched and the Penguin Plunge
Board of Directors prepared for another banner year. Participation numbers and
donations have steadily increased over the years with the 2016 Penguin Plunge
holding the current records at 818 “penguins” and $11,700.00 raised.

Various local charities have been recipients for the annual event, including: Martha’s
Kitchen/Hope Mission ($5488 – 2 years), Carteret County Center for Domestic
Violence ($6700), Carteret County Hospice House ($16,000 – 2 years), Hope For
The Warriors® ($8798), Carteret County Humane Society ($10,035), Loaves and
Fishes Counseling ($11,700), Carteret Community College Foundation – Veteran
Student Center ($10,300), Austin Vet Outreach/Rescue ($4500), Mile of Hope
($9,300), the Salvation Army ($9100), and the Carteret County Public Schools
Foundation Teacher Fellowship ($10,400). In the 20th year, two charities were
selected: BackPack Friends ($6700) and First Rung ($6700).

For the 21st annual Penguin Plunge on 1/1/2024, our charity recipient was the ECHS Band Boosters ($12,500).

To date Penguin Plunge has raised $131,425.00 in donations for 14 local Carteret County charities. (through the 1/1/24 event)