{"id":9296,"date":"2026-02-04T21:26:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:26:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/?p=9296"},"modified":"2026-02-04T21:27:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:27:43","slug":"annual-polar-plunge-raises-10000-for-habitat-for-humanity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.troy.edu\/trojanvision\/2026\/02\/04\/annual-polar-plunge-raises-10000-for-habitat-for-humanity\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Polar Plunge raises $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION<\/a>) \u2014 Over the weekend, Troy University’s Habitat for Humanity<\/a> and the Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity<\/a> raised around $10,000 during its sixth annual Polar Plunge, bringing\u00a0many\u00a0together for a cold jump.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 50 students gathered at the City of Troy Parks and Recreation Center to take part in the event, which challenges participants to jump into icy water to raise money for Habitat for Humanity\u2019s mission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In years past, the plunge has been held in the outdoor pool at the recreation center. This year, below-freezing temperatures forced organizers to move the event indoors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the change, the goal of the plunge remained the same: helping families with low to moderate incomes build homes in the Troy area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey [candidates for the program] have to go through a very specific screening process,\u201d said Troy Pike Habitat for Humanity Public Relations and Fundraising chairperson Dianna Lee.\u00a0\u201cThey\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0get a free home.\u00a0They\u00a0get a no interest mortgage and the money that we raise goes\u00a0towards\u00a0lowering the cost of the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“They also\u00a0have to\u00a0put in sweat equity; they\u00a0have to\u00a0help build their own home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SNOWY STORIES: Snow falls on Troy University campus for second year in a row<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lee said Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity has built 19 homes over the past 30 years. Proceeds from this year\u2019s polar plunge will go toward construction of the organization\u2019s 20th home, marking a milestone for the local chapter.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stephanie Fletcher, a senior political science major from Cleveland, Ohio, is President of Troy University Habitat for Humanity. Fletcher said seeing students show up on a cold Saturday morning made the event especially meaningful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love seeing people show up Habitat for Humanity,\u201d Fletcher said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0an organization that I hold so close to my heart.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0so impactful to see people show up for us to do something as small as jump into a pool.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0lovely to see people come out and do it, even on a snowy day like today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brad Smith, a junior risk management and insurance major from Pensacola, Florida, was one of many students who jumped into the water. He said Troy\u2019s sense of community inspired him to participate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHaving opportunities like this is great to better the community,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThe people in Troy make Troy special.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the plunge, students received a goodie bag filled with snacks and a T-shirt commemorating the event. The next Troy University Habitat for Humanity polar plunge is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2027. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) \u2014 Over the weekend, Troy University’s Habitat for Humanity and the Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity raised around $10,000 during its sixth annual Polar Plunge, bringing\u00a0many\u00a0together for a cold jump.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More than 50 students gathered at the City of Troy Parks and Recreation Center to take part in the event, which challenges participants…<\/p>\n

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