This is going out to lovers of the outdoors, marathoners, long-distance bikers, and polar plungers. And to those who wish to express their love and solidarity for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

Back in 2015, just after the 2014 war on Gaza, I dedicated my solo cycling tour across the United States, from Virginia to Oregon, to the Palestinian House of Friendship, an organization doing beautiful work with children in Nablus and surrounding refugee camps. Together, my followers and I raised about $5,000 for PHF.

After I returned, and when I conceded I was not bound for any more rides just yet, I turned to marathons and polar plunging for thrills, and the next year after joining the local fundraising team for PHF, I proposed we do a Polar Plunge for PHF. The team was all for it, especially local writer and former teacher Tom Weiner, and we’ve organized the last three together. We’d like to call it annual, but there were a couple of years skipped during COVID, and then in 2024 I cycled through Patagonia in Chile, and that’s how we fundraised last winter.

This year we are back, though! On Feb. 8, at noon, come out for the fourth annual Polar Plunge for PHF at at Musante Beach, at 85 Reservoir Road in Leeds. Comedian Kelsey Flynn will cheer you on while you jump in in your tutu, or whatever keeps you happiest. Sign up now at go.dojiggy.io/polarplunge and get your personal fundraiser page going, and recruit your friends and family to sponsor your plunge.

The Northampton Fire Department EMTs and their water safety team will be on hand for emergency preparedness. Hot chocolate will be served!

If not chilly the event is guaranteed to be funny, and we want spectators, so come out! There is nothing more enjoyable than watching people race in and out of freezing water in the middle of winter. It’s an awesome wake-up, electrifying really, (some of you have followed Wim Hoff’s method of cold plunges). You don’t want to miss out! Learn more about PHF at palestinianhouseoffriendship.com.

Celia Miller

Holyoke