Valentine Plunge

2010 Plunge Photos

admin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:38:33 +0000

The coldest year yet!!

2010 Plunge Videos

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:54:59 +0000

Wow what a cold day!!

The 2010 Plunge is on!!

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:14:15 +0000

Just in case anyone is wondering. The plunge is still going on. Same time, same place! Note: Make sure you bring your shoes. There could be some snow still on the beach. See you on Saturday!!

Don’t forget about Plunge pre-registration at O’Neill’s starting at 6pm Friday 12th.

Help Spread the Word

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 03:25:50 +0000

Link in with our Facebook Causes page and help spread the word. Have your friends help support the Valentine Plunge mission and those in need.

Join and help support our cause today!

2009 Plunge Photos

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:25:34 +0000

Supporting a great cause!

Other great photo galleries to look at!

Get Ready for Plunge 2010

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:24:17 +0000

Join the cupid team and get ready for a fantastic Valentine Plunge 2010! Stay tuned as the committee meets to organize and build an amazing year!

Valentine Fundraiser sees 300

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:01:37 +0000

Over $100,000 Raised to Fight ALS
BY NICK MALFITANO
February 15, 2007

MANASQUAN — This past Saturday, approximately 300 people at the inaugural Valentine Plunge fund-raiser jumped into the sub-freezing ocean waters as a show of support in the fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS], while approximately 500 supporters cheered them on.

Jim O’Neill, owner of O’Neill’s Bar, Grill and Guesthouse in Manasquan and the event organizer, said that the plunge “was wonderful, it was a great event … I’m still getting phone calls [from people interested in donating to the plunge].”

Over $100,000 was raised toward supporting individuals with ALS and their families, in an effort to improve their quality of life. In all, approximately 60 families will benefit from the generosity of those attending the Valentine Plunge.

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the New York Yankees’ first baseman [1923 to 1939] who died of the disease in 1941. ALS is an incurable, fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness, resulting in paralysis. The disease attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurons, which control the movement of voluntary muscles, deteriorate and eventually die. When the motor neurons die, the brain can no longer initiate and control muscle movement. Because muscles no longer receive the messages they need in order to function, they gradually weaken and deteriorate.

Mr. O’Neill’s family joined the battle against the disease when his brother, Tim, was diagnosed with ALS in 2004. In the interim, Jim O’Neill has dedicated many hours and efforts to fund raise for individuals with the disease, as well as their families.

Depending on the amount of money raised per individual, attendees were eligible to receive prizes including t-shirts, winter skull caps, beach towels, hooded windbreakers, robes and custom jackets, all bearing the Valentine Plunge logo. Prizes were awarded to the individual raising the most amount of money, the largest team and for the best costume.

“It was a tremendous response … it’s not like a triathlon, you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to do this and make a difference,” said Mr. O’Neill.

In reference to the spirit of the event organizers, attendee Terry Magovern stated, “their enthusiasm is infectious … it’s a fun, family event.”

Those participating in the plunge were eligible to do so individually or as part of a team, both of which were well-represented, according to Mr. O’Neill.

Mr. Magovern raised the largest amount of money for an individual plunger, tallying over $17,000 in donations. Mr. Magovern had previously raised funds for the J oan Dancy and People with ALS [PALS] support group, and felt that “this gave a little extra incentive to people to raise money for the benefit.”

Winning the award for largest team was the Broadway Bar & Grill in Point Pleasant Beach with 26 members, while the award for best costume went to Team Titanic, whose members were attired in disposable pants, as well as men’s and women’s formal wear, organizers said. Other teams included the Kesler Crazies and Wall Street Idiots, who actually came down from New York City for the event this past weekend.

Mr. O’Neill was very pleased with the fund-raiser, and anticipates the plunge becoming a yearly occasion. “When you get this kind of support, it has to be [an annual event].” Mr. O’Neill added that next year, the group is seeking to double both attendance and the amount of money raised for individuals and their families battling ALS.

In addition, the event organizer and local restaurant owner wanted to thank all attendees and borough residents, as well. “This is just a great community, and people certainly answered the bell on this one,” said Mr. O’Neill.

Mr. Magovern also extended his gratitude to the town. “I would like to thank the community of Manasquan, they’ve really jumped behind the event. . . everyone was there for the right reason.”

Local Sports Clubs Help Support the Plunge

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:31:46 +0000

Instead, a handful of volunteers clad in matching T-shirts and red hats stopped members to promote the club’s latest charity drive, the Valentine Plunge, a benefit for Lou Gehrig’s disease. Members who slipped by without receiving an information packet or the soft-sell pitch couldn’t miss the slew of posters advertising the fund-raiser, which ended up collecting $100,000.

“You reach so many people in one little area,” said Jim O’Neill, 47, a gymgoer and the event organizer. “These guys are all affluent people who are willing to help. Where else would I have that command of attention?”

The gymgoers who were stopped in the lobby were asked to take a dip in the chilly Atlantic Ocean and to wrangle friends and family to sponsor the stunt. The more the volunteers raised, the more prizes they would receive: a beach towel for bringing in $500, a robe adorned with the slogan “Jump In and Feel the Love” for $1,000.

As gym memberships swell, a vanguard of owners has begun to mobilize customers to contribute to charity. The most committed clubs have hired so-called outreach coordinators to encourage the clientele to donate; others have employees spread the word about an upcoming fund-raiser one treadmill at a time.

By NORA ISAACS Published: February 15, 2007

2008 Plunge Photos

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:04:54 +0000

Check out the great time we had during the 2008 Valentine Plunge Event

Terry Magovern

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:00:39 +0000

At the age of 50, Joan Dancy, a mother of two from Middletown, NJ, was told she had ALS. Joan and her fiance Terry found that despite the numerous medical centers, there were few resources available locally to help patients and their caregivers with financial and emotional support.

Before Joan passed away, she asked Terry to change that situation. Joan’s wish became a reality when Terry founded the Joan Dancy & PALS Foundation, an all-volunteer organization. Recognizing that the disease impacts the everyday lives of the patient and their loved ones in many different ways, JD & PALS provides direct grants to address critical individual needs and hosts a monthly support group meeting at Riverview Medical Center.

Terry Magovern passed away suddenly on July 30, 2007. He was our guiding light and visionary leader.

Joan Dancy and PALS is a non-profit organization which can provide nursing, electronic communication devices, wheelchairs and lifts, in-home care and financial support when needed. We currently have 52 patients in our community, but this changes everyday.

It is almost impossible to truly express what an incredible man Terry was, but if you’d like to know more, click here.