Welcome to the Penguin Plunge!

The Penguin Plunge is a charitable Event held in Atlantic Beach, NC, where we gather on January 1st each year and jump into the ocean to support local charities. We are a non-profit dedicated to raising and collecting donations through this event for Carteret County charities!

Become a PENGUIN!

And support our 2026 Carteret County charities!

Crystal Coast Hospice House

Hand 2 Hand Down East, Inc

Help us reach our Goal! DONATE Today!!

Make a Donation

Become a Sponsor today!

Join Us and be part of a great cause! Accepting Sponsors for the January 1, 2026, Penguin Plunge. Some donation levels include your logo printed on our shirts! Our sponsors get special recognition all year leading up to the event, so early involvement means more mentions! Plus, all sponsor donations are fully tax-deductible!

Become a Sponsor !

Another successful Penguin Plunge!

A BIG Thank You to everyone who came out in support of our 2025 Penguin Plunge and this years Charities!!

Misplaced Mutts and Title Wave Book Mobile.

NEWS from the ICE SHELF

2/10/25
Post Event Donation Awards!! We are proud to announce, that due to our gracious sponsors, volunteers, and the 831 participants, we are able to present our BEST charity donations to date!

Misplaced Mutts and the Title Wave Book Mobile each received a $10,000 donation!

2/05/25
Calling ALL Sponsors! Join Us and be part a great cause! Accepting Sponsors for the January 1, 2026, Penguin Plunge. Some donation levels include your logo printed on our shirts! Our sponsors get special recognition all year leading up to the event, so early involvement means more mentions! Visit our Sponsorship Page.

1/07/25
Looking for local businesses who would like to sponsor a "Gift or Gift card" to help us add some fun to this year's Penguin Plunge. Just contact us with any questions!

12/30/24
Are you a 501(c)3 charity looking for support? Applications for the 1/1/2027 event will be accepted starting September. Applications are due by November 15th, 2025. See "Charity App" link above.

This Year's Charities

For the 1/1/2026 event the Penguin Plunge charities are Crystal Coast Hospice House and the Hand 2 Hand Down East, Inc.

Crystal Coast Hospice House

The SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House provides a wonderful inpatient experience for residents of the Crystal Coast including Carteret, Craven, Jones, Onslow, and Pamlico Counties. Our facility provides a warm and supportive environment for terminally ill hospice patients who desire inpatient care and for their loved ones who wish to be by their side. The facility offers ten private suites. Six suites are dedicated to acute care and four to residential.

We are a not-for-profit hospice house and have been operating since July 2013 and have served over 2500 patients and families. We rely on private donations and fundraising to maintain and insure the hospice house.

Hand 2 Hand Down East

Hand 2 Hand Down East, Inc is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency serving the Down East communities of Carteret County, NC, from East Carteret High School to Cedar Island, including North River Community. Hand 2 Hand strives to improve the lives of folks in East Carteret County by having an impact with their food insecurities, small financial needs, and with a low cost/free thrift store. We provide free hot lunches every Monday to 100-125+ folks. We distribute extra food that has been donated and/or prepared by us. Once a month, a Food Truck allows us to distribute to the community both fresh fruits and vegetables, and non-perishable items. The Hand 2 Hand Thrift Store accepts donations from community members and is a low cost option for other community members. When needed, such as after a fire, we provide items at no cost.

Become a SPONSOR!

As a Sponsor, businesses are recognized for their community support and are offered increased brand recognition. Company logos are posted on the event website, social media outlets, and printed on event tee shirts and sweatshirts. There are several ‘Penguin’ levels of sponsorships. Each donation level has increasing benefits. Deadline for logos to be printed on shirts is December 1st!