STROUDSBURG -- Emergency crews put a stop to a polar plunge in the Poconos on Friday, because the water in the creek was too cold.
A little underdressed for the frigid temperatures, about two dozen animal lovers took off on a polar run in downtown Stroudsburg, too cold and too dangerous for the original plan: a plunge in McMichaels Creek.
"It's moving too quickly, where there's actually open water and there hasn't been rain. Rain actually, I guess, makes the water warmer. So we went with a run instead," said volunteer organizer Eric German.
Search and Rescue crews put a stop to the AWSOM Animal Shelter plunge, but that didn't stop many people and pups from showing up to raise awareness for a good cause.
"We're trying to get people to understand that when you leave your companion dogs out in the cold, they're freezing, they're dying. You know if you're cold, they're cold," said Jen Green of Easton.
Green decided to dress for the plunge anyways.
"How else can you bring awareness than wear a bikini in the middle of a 16 degree day, running the streets of Stroudsburg," said Green.
Believe it or not, some of the folks who showed up to support AWSOM Animal Shelter in these frigid temperatures say they're disappointed they couldn't take a plunge in McMichael's Creek.
"Yeah, I'd rather jump. It's more fun because not too many people can do that. It takes a certain crazy person to jump in freezing cold water," said Vince Aversano of East Stroudsburg.
This year's polar run raised more than $2,000 for the shelter. They hope this spectacle brings in a few more dollars as well.
"Very good cause, we work entirely on donations so the more we can raise, the more we can take care of our dogs and cats," said Aversano.