INTHEVUE.COM | MARCH 2025 9 The concept is simple: participants plunge into freezing water, then challenge someone else to take the plunge while the person challenging donates $1,000 to a charity of their choice. In just a short time, this movement has already raised over $10,000 for local charities, with a goal of reaching $100,000. Newton admits that he didn’t expect the challenge to take off so quickly. “To be honest, I didn’t expect it to keep going,” said Newton. “But we are surrounded by good people who are willing to keep up the charity work.” For those unfamiliar with cold plunging, it’s the practice of submerging your body in cold water for a short period of time. It’s known to help not only physical health, but also mental health and even skin health. Newton describes it as both a mental and physical challenge. “Mentally, the hardest part is getting in,” said Newton. “I know that after it is done each day, that’s my hardest challenge that day. Once in, it becomes a time of peace. The main thing is to focus on your breathing.” Sustaining the momentum is key with this ambitious fundraising goal. “The plunge is open seven days a week, and you don’t have to be challenged to get involved,” said Newton. “You can do the challenge at any time.” And once they reach that big goal? They plan to keep going - envisioning this challenge becoming a yearly tradition, with new ways to inspire generosity while tackling tough tasks. In the past few weeks, he has been amazed by the generosity and willingness of people to take part. “It has really brought to life how many people are willing to do this,” said Newton. “Many small businesses and people are already showing so much support, and in turn, supporting many local charities.” Keaton Powell took the plunge recently for a good cause. “Sean Newton set the tone by daring Matt Snow to take on an ice bath challenge - just a couple of guys having fun,” said Powell. “One challenge led to another, and before long - the whole thing snowballed. More and more people began challenging one another to take the plunge.” Powell had always been curious about ice baths - watching others make them part of their daily routine. “It seemed like something I’d want to try - so what a better way to dive in,” said Powell. Powell donated to Hope Unlimited Family Care Center after challenging Paul Koverdan to take the cold plunge. “He took on the challenge and chose the charity for my donation - making it all the more meaningful,” said Powell. He had heard of the organization before, but truly never grasped the depth of their services. “My wife and I had the chance to tour the facility, and we were genuinely impressed by the organization and the incredible work they do,” said Powell. “Meeting the dedicated staff and hearing their inspirational stories was an honor. I left feeling truly blessed - every minute was more than worth it.” Powell says after the first 30 seconds, once you catch your breath, the feeling is unlike anything else. “Your hands feel like bricks, but then your body starts to adapt. I managed to stay in for four minutes, and when I got out, I felt more energized than ever,” said Powell. Doing a cold plunge for charity is a great way to challenge yourself while making a meaningful impact. “It pushes you out of your comfort zone, builds mental toughness, and creates a shared experience that brings people together. Plus, it turns a personal challenge into something bigger - raising awareness and funds for a good cause,” said Powell. “If you’re going to take the plunge, why not make it count?” For those hesitant to participate, he offers a powerful perspective. “It’s easy to cut a check for charity, but it takes guts to do something that might make you only a fraction as uncomfortable as people in hard situations - such as drug addiction recovery, cancer treatments, homelessness, domestic violence, and more,” said Newton. “Putting yourself in a slightly uncomfortable situation also puts your heart into it.” Someone else who was inspired by the challenge? Tabitha Sanders.
