The Penguin Plunge is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group that works to help the families of seriously ill children meet their medical and support costs as they focus on their children's health. We are a 100% volunteer group located in Rockland County, NY, and each year our "colony" of penguins hosts an icy plunge into the Hudson River in honor of the children we sponsor. Since our founding in 2007, we have helped 43 children and raised over one million dollars in total contributions.
Since 2007, the Penguin Plunge has raised over $1,000,000 to help over three dozen families offset the astronomical medical costs that are associated with caring for a seriously ill child. These are your neighbors... your friends... your community. From toddlers to teenagers, boys and girls, these brave youngsters fight a daily battle to live a normal life in spite of the conditions they face. The Penguin Plunge counts on members of the community (like you!) to help them in their fight.
We are currently in the process of selecting the recipients for the 2026 Penguin Plunge. We expect to announce them here in early fall.
We hold a variety of exciting fundraisers throughout most of the year. Check out our calendar regularly to see what's coming up! You can also get on our mailing list (we promise we won't spam you!) to receive notifications of an upcoming event. Lastly, keep an eye out for fliers at the many local businesses that support the Penguin Plunge.
Our system makes giving easy - simply navigate to our donation page to make a secure, tax-deductible donation in a matter of minutes. You can also use our system to create your own personal fundraising page that you can send to your friends and family, who can then donate in your name.
This is the highlight of the year, and it's what helps us spread the word about the work we're doing. When you attend the Plunge, you can receive food, drinks, and Penguin Plunge apparel in exchange for a donation. Find out more here.
We're always looking to expand the Penguin Plunge volunteer family! If you're interested in volunteering your time, please contact us.