Scout Leaders Take Polar Plunge

Just before sunset, Boy Scout Troop 125 gathered on the boardwalk of Sunken Meadow State Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday to watch their leaders brave the cold March winds to take a dip in the frigid waters of the Long Island Sound.

Scoutmaster Bob Kowalski and Assistant Scoutmasters Ken Voigt and Charlie Zambito wasted no time, as they quickly ran across the beach and plunged into the icy Sound—still clad in the Scout uniforms.

The polar dip was not a punishment for the scoutmasters, but rather a reward for the scouts, who surpassed their fundraising goal of $750 for the at in East Northport  March 13. Although the scouts were originally promised a spaghetti dinner if they met their goal, the stakes were raised once they managed to accrue $2,495 for the St. Baldrick's foundation.

The troop, which meets every Tuesday night at in Commack, is comprised of members from the Commack, Dix Hills, East Northport, Kings Park and Smithtown communities.

After the polar plunge, the scoutmasters left as quickly as they came to warm up and change into dry clothes to join the rest of the troop at their dinner.

Donations in the name of Troop 125 will continue to be accepted through December 2011. Visit St. Baldrick's site to contribute.