5th Annual 22° Run and Plunge in Brightwaters Raises Suicide Prevention Awareness

Participants gathered at Walker Park and Beach in Brightwaters on January 19 for Operation VEST's 5th Annual 22° Run & Plunge, a family-friendly polar plunge event aimed at raising awareness for suicide prevention among veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. The rain-or-shine gathering combined a 2.2-mile run/walk with a cold-water plunge into the Great South Bay to focus attention and funds on local veteran services.

The day began with a 2.2-mile run and walk at 10:00 AM, followed by a scheduled plunge at 11:00 AM. Organizers staged safety support from Suffolk County Police, the Marine Bureau, and local dive teams to monitor conditions and assist participants. The visible presence of trained responders and dive personnel helped keep the plunge orderly and reassured families watching from the shore.

Organizers designed the event around the 22° name and the 22-rep symbolism highlighted during the program. Proceeds from registration and local sponsorships stayed in the community to support practical services for veterans, including housing assistance, counseling, service dogs, and alternative therapies. Local sponsors provided logistical and financial backing to keep costs down and maximize the dollars flowing to area veterans’ programs.

For the ice bath and cold-plunge community, the event married ritual and purpose: taking a cold shock together as a visible stand against isolation and to open conversations about mental health. Families and neighbors who came out to watch, volunteer, or cheer on plungers turned a chilly dip into a public demonstration of support that organizers said reinforces the message that help is local and available.

Beyond the spectacle of the plunge, the event offered clear practical value. Funds raised were earmarked for direct services that community members can access, from emergency housing help to counseling and therapy alternatives that complement traditional care. Safety protocols demonstrated how to stage a cold-water event responsibly, and the presence of local emergency teams provided a model for other groups planning similar plunges.

If you missed this year’s plunge, Operation VEST maintains an event page with registration and volunteer information for future activities, and proceeds continue to benefit local veteran programs. The takeaway for readers is that cold-water camaraderie can do more than shock the system - it can channel community energy into sustained support for veterans, service members, and first responders in need.