About Us
Penguin Plunge, Inc., 145 Intracoastal Drive, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516.
We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit dedicated to raising donations for Carteret County charities!
History of the Penguin Plunge
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 501(c)3 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)