Community dives for diaperrs Polar bear plunge attracts folks from politicos to families
HUTTO — The 6th annual Polar Plunge & Diaper Drive held by the Glenwood Home Owners Association attracted regulars and newcomers willing to brave being cold and wet for a good cause.
Open to the public, the event took place at noon on New Year’s Day at the Glenwood Community Pool, 107 McCoy Lane.
Admission was a package of diapers or a monetary donation, with all proceeds going to the Hutto Resource Center.
“The reason why we give diapers is the (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) doesn’t pay for paper products. So when a family is in need, they can get food on their SNAP card but they can’t get things like diapers or toilet paper,” said Perry Savard, Glenwood HOA president. “The Hutto Resource Center gives away diapers and they run out of their supply every month.”
Savard, who has organized the event for five of its six years, has only taken the polar plunge once.
He prefers coordinating rather than getting drenched, he said.
Savard estimated the water was about 58 degrees on Jan. 1, but participants seemed to think it was much colder. The mercury that day ranged from 39 degrees in the morning to a high of 73.
Councilman Aaron King called the plunge “invigorating.” He had never participated in the event but this time joined fellow politicos Mayor Mike Snyder and Councilman Jim Morris.
Snyder and Morris, who are frequent “polar bears,” estimated the water temperature was around 40 degrees, and King climbed out quickly. Morris was the last one out of the pool.
“The wonderful thing is we’re embracing community. Anything that helps our children. That’s paramount. Taking care of the kids,” Morris said.
Morris took the plunge wearing a twopiece 1911-style swimsuit that covered him from neck to knees. He is an experienced cold-water scuba diver and said moving around and staying submerged are helpful techniques to endure a frigid dive.
Hutto newcomers Andrew and Victoria Villarreal and their teenage daughter Anissa said while the water was “super, super cold,” the experience is one they would do again.
They might even make it a family tradition, they added.
“We’ve been looking for more ways to get involved in the community and we wanted to support the HRC. We know they do a lot for Hutto,” Victoria Villarreal said.
Justine Griffith, Hutto Resource Center president, noted that in 2024 the center gave out almost 25,000 diapers. The HRC operates a food pantry and a benevolent fund that helps with emergency costs. In addition to filling a need for local families, she said taking a polar plunge is historically considered to bring prosperity and good fortune to those who participate.
“What a way to bring a community together. It’s an incredible event and a great way to start the year,” Griffith said.
The resource center is at 204 E. Live Oak St.
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“The wonderful thing is we’re embracing community.
Anything that helps our children.”
— Councilman Jim Morris
