Southampton - Teeth chattered, bodies shivered and indeed there were many who longed to be back under their covers early on Saturday morning, and that was before anyone darted into the water at the Sixth Annual Polar Bear Plunge at Coopers Beach. However, the very notion of a community rallying together for the sake of fellow East Enders in need warmed the hearts of those on hand, even if the thermometer showed them to be a little kooky.

Since its inception, the event, for which entrants charge in and out of the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean, has raised more than $500,000 for Human Resources of the Hamptons (HRH), which provides for local families in need throughout the year. According to event organizer Gary Glanz, who has also plunged himself each year, some of the acts of kindness have included transporting the sick to New York City for treatment, covering mortgage, rent or oil bills for those in difficult situations, and much more.

Plungers young and old helped raise more than $100,000 for Human Resources for the Hamptons, an organization that helps East End families in need.

"The Polar Bear Plunge helps the whole community get into the holiday spirit," said Mary Ann Tupper, the director of HRH. "In the current economy, we've added more than 200 local families to our food pantry list since the summer. We now serve more than 500 local families. We count on the people of our community to help their less fortunate friends and neighbors."

The preparation is extensive but the plunge is over in the time it takes hordes of folks to storm the water and retreat into their dry clothes. "It's magical," Glanz said. "It's always shocking. We arrive here at 7 a.m., there's nothing here, you're busy and then you turn around and there are 1,000 people here," Glanz said. "And then it's over."

Once again, the Plunge was a tremendous fund-raising success, as each Southampton village employee, firefighter, police officer and ambulance volunteer was sponsored for $100 each by an anonymous donor. Elected officials were supported by a $200 pledge, and a local donor backed all plungers from Southampton High School and Intermediate School with $50 each. Additionally, Wright and Co. Construction sponsored its employees and their families with $100 each.

The water temperature registered at 44 degrees with the air at 27 degrees. Don King, manager of the Southampton Bathing Corp., revealed his tried-and-true strategy that has allowed him to plunge all six years. "It's nice and cold," said King, insisting that he wasn't contradicting himself. "You have to know how to prepare for it. You need a nice, warm hat - it's the last thing to come off and the first thing to go back on. Also, you have to strip your clothes off gradually. You don't want to be hot when you go in."

The Polar Bear Plunge was a great celebration of the community coming together to raise money for needy families.

Zany costumes were popular again among those in attendance, from people clad in football jerseys, Santa Claus costumes and more. It's debatable, however, whether those in unorthodox attire were actually of sounder mind than those bearing their board shorts or bikinis. Kevin Bodkin, a part-time employee at Guild Hall in East Hampton, came as a Christmas tree. He called the weather the coldest it's been in his five years coming to Coopers. Plunge officials had the ocean water measured at 34 degrees Fahrenheit, but the air was chilled by a bitter wind. According to another veteran, Jimmy Mack of Southampton, the water is warmer than when plungers dart back toward the shore. "It's the feet," he said. "When you get out and hit that sand, they're like blocks of ice. That's the worst part."

Many of those in attendance got the blood flowing on the frigid morning by dancing to the beat provided by a band of drummers and dancers named Escola de Samba BOOM, a 20-member samba school, which bared the cold and played Brazilian music throughout the morning.

Afterward, participants and spectators were graciously offered refreshments further inland at the Coopers Beach pavilion. Aptly named the Survivor's Celebration, chili and soup were served courtesy of the Golden Pear, bagels and hot cocoa from Hampton Bagels in East Hampton and doughnuts from 7-11 to top it off. They couldn't dry people's socks but they warmed their insides; others thawed out by huddling over space heaters going full blast.

"It's just a fabulous event," said Southampton resident Michael Paez, who was one of many who came dressed as St. Nick. "People from the entire town come out."

Plungers make a beeline for the shore after diving into waters that registered at 44 degrees.