These New Years revelers take the (polar bear) plunge for charity in N.J.

Thousands of New Jerseyans participated in or watched polar beach plunges at the Shore

Some people do it to mark something different for the New Year.

Others do it as tradition.

Whatever the reason, thousands of revelers in New Jersey welcomed the New Year by taking a plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean on Sunday morning not only for the thrill but also for charity.

"None of this stuff of up to the knees" in the water, said Michael Kahlenberg, a spokesman for the polar plunge in Atlantic City. "You gotta go under."

While the air temperature was close to 50 degrees in Atlantic City by plunge time, the water temperature was closer to the mid-40s, sending shock waves through many despite the bright blue skies.

While that plunge has been a regular in Atlantic City for nearly three decades, this is the fifth year the proceeds were designated to go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Kahlenberg said.

Polar Bear Plunge in Asbury Park chills and thrills for charity

A few miles away, a polar bear plunge also kicked off in Brigantine. Brigantine's Polar Bear Plunge started 16 years ago as a local event but grew into a major fundraiser for Fisher House, which provides housing and transportation for wounded military members and their families.

Event publicity coordinator Bob Lund said he was pleased with the turnout - one of the largest since the event started on a bet between friends in 2000.

"This was one of the biggest ones," Lund said, referring to the estimated 1,000 swimmers and 6,000 spectators at the 14^th Street beach. "I would say there were more swimmers I the water than I've ever seen."

Lund estimated the plunge raised more than $80,000 for Fisher House.

In Asbury Park, the plunge stepped off near Convention Hall at 1 p.m., when hundreds took a dip or a dive for the 14^th annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge.

This year, the Sons of Ireland selected as the event's beneficiaries Stephy's Place, a non-profit grief support center in Red Bank and Shore House, a Long Branch-based support organization for people with mental illnesses.

In Ocean City, revelers took a plunge near Music Pier to benefit the Hero Campaign, a charity started by the family of John R. Elliott, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000 on his way home to Egg Harbor Township.

With 5,000 people either watching or plunging, the event raised $20,000 for the John R. Elliott Foundation, which promotes safe and sober driving, said Glenn Davila, spokesman for the foundation.

He said New Year's Day is the perfect time to spread the message about the need for designated drivers. And with the unseasonably warm weather bringing out the crowds, that message reached a large audience, he said.

"You couldn't ask for a better day," Davila said. "It was great."