Temperatures dropped to -17C with the wind-chill Saturday afternoon, giving polar-bear dippers a double dose of the cold.
Bathers took to Lake Erie in Kingsville to raise money for Childcan and Access County Community Support Services at the 18th annual Polar Bear Dip.
Access Executive Director John Sutton tells CTV's Sacha Long it's humbling to see all the support every year.
"It's out 18th annual event and we never cease to be amazed at the number of people that turn out no matter what the weather conditions are," says Sutton. "It certainly speaks to what a caring community Windsor-Essex is and we couldn't be prouder both at Childcan and Access with the support we get each and every year."
The money goes a long way to help those in need, according to Childcan's Kathleen Barnard.
"Childcan helps kids and families who are coping with a childhood cancer diagnosis anywhere in southwestern Ontario into northern Ontario," she says. "The funds from our community make such a huge difference. The support that the dippers are showing for our families is also a real nice boost for them."
Sutton says around 93 people from 16 teams registered for the event, but more than 100 took the plunge Saturday — with a bitterly cold wind coming off the lake it shows how much heart there is in Windsor-Essex.
I could seriously watch these dippers all day... hilarious! #polarbeardip #icy #freezing @Childcan_ON_CAD @accesscounty @CTVWindsor pic.twitter.com/lzVqAFxduV
— Sacha Long (@SachaLongCTV) January 13, 2018
"What it really shows is how deeply these programs move them that they're willing to come out and sacrifice their bodies, literally, on such a cold day," he says. "It really warms the heart to see."
This year's event even included an escape for those who would rather "pay to get out of that," allowing participants to raise money for the event and pay $10 to skip the chilly bath in the lake.
Barnard says the goal is to raise $60,000 this year, and she's optimistic they'll hit that mark when the final tally comes in later this weekend.
— with files from CTV Windsor's Sacha Long.
Dozens brave frigid, icy waters for Kingsville's 17th Annual Polar Bear tradition in support of @Childcan_ON_CAD & @accesscounty. #polarbeardip #freezing @CTVWindsor pic.twitter.com/kkJDUwsPNL
— Sacha Long (@SachaLongCTV) January 13, 2018