In recent years, cold water plunging has increased in popularity. We’ve gone beyond the “Polar Bear Club”, where you’d see on the news a group of people running into the ocean for a good cause. What is it exactly? The activity is defined as submerging yourself in water that is below 60 degrees for a short period of time. It’s touted for helping to reduce stress and inflammation as well as improve circulation and better sleep. However, it is not for everybody, and you should consult with a doctor before giving it a try. Some other basic safety tips: start slowly at 30 seconds to a minute, never do it alone and always listen to your body.

Recently there was a survey of the best places in the United States to do a cold water plunge. One made it on the list and it is right in our backyard! The Delaware Water Gap, Icy River Experience in Warren County was #13 out of 100! Number 1 on the list is not very far at Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, New York. Also, #100 on the list is Lake Wallenpaupack, Deep Chill Reservoir Plunge in Pike and Wayne Counties, Pennsylvania.

Cold water plunging is definitely not for me but many swear by it. Early Spring, is the time of the year where if you want to take the plunge there are a few options nearby that are the best in the United States!

People often wonder how they can make a difference in the world; some decide to work for a non-profit organization for a cause that they are passionate about, others volunteer their time often times, to these same organizations.  Wikipedia defines volunteering as a “voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service.”  By performing such acts, volunteering allows you to have a better understanding of the community that you work or live in. Exposing you to new experiences, cultures and points of view.

National Volunteer Week will be this year from April 20^th to April 26^th.  April is also known as Global Volunteer Month.  This year’s theme for National Volunteer Week is “Connecting Communities”, with the intent to show the power of volunteering in not only creating lasting relationships but in doing so strengthening the community we are a part of.

We at Family Promise of Sussex County love our volunteers and they help us in so many ways so that we can better serve our community and our mission, to secure housing stability and sustainability for those in crisis. In 2024, volunteers assisted us in carrying out our mission in many ways, such as filling dozens of backpacks with cold weather supplies for our clients, organizing the resource room which houses the many generous donations of coats, hats, socks, etc. that we receive.  As well as, enhancing the garden and landscape around our office and assisting with fundraising efforts. Their dedication and diverse contributions have greatly strengthened our community support initiatives.

Interested in becoming a volunteer?  We’ve had groups from local businesses as well as individuals wanting to serve.  Please contact us through the volunteer tab under Get Involved on our website and thank you!

As spring is my favorite season, I love April.  Yes, you can still have snow…I remember as a young child being out with my mom and seeing those large pancake like snowflakes falling from the sky, but for the most part the cold of winter is over and everything seems to be blooming.  April is typically when Easter is celebrated that talks all about rebirth…warming temperatures, flowers blooming, birds chirping…all positive right?  Well, I discovered a lot of negative, tragic occurrences which all happened in April.  Here’s a list of what I found…much of which surprised me.

• The first shots of the Revolutionary War were heard on April 19^th, 1775.  Also, The Civil War, Spanish War and WWII all started in April!
  
• The unsinkable Titanic did just that sank on April 15^th, 1912.  It just took 2 hours and 40 minutes to do so.  I believe the movie Titanic was longer than that!
  
• Lastly on April 11^th, 1970, Apollo 13 launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida only to have a catastrophic explosion 56 hours later.  Thankfully no lives were lost.
  
  

So, although I discovered quite a few negative, oftentimes tragic moments in our history that have April as its date…I still love April and all of the positive vibes and newness it brings for the rest of the year.  Hopefully I did not depress you too much…did I mention that taxes are also due in April!