Penguin Plunge, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that raises funds for local Carteret County charities through the annual Penguin Plunge New Year’s Day event.

History of the Penguin Plunge

On a chilly January 1st in 2004 at 1:00PM, 25 friends gathered at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean to pay tribute to a friend who had passed away during a triathlon the previous summer (James M. Davis). They shared memories and laughed with one another and vowed to meet each other next year at the same place, at the same time, for another plunge into the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Twelve months later, they were joined by more “penguins” and soon realized a New Year’s tradition had begun. After the 2006 Penguin Plunge, they decided to make their efforts count and raise funds to support the physical rehabilitation of another fellow athlete, Taylor Hyman. It wasn’t long before they realized that people were thrilled to donate to a charity before plunging into the ocean.

More publicity followed with each subsequent event and participation increased, as did the amount of donations received. In 2008, Penguin Plunge became a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation and launched a website: www.penguinplungeab.org.

Taylor Hyman died on the 4th of July in 2009, and the decision was made to continue supporting local Carteret County charities with the funds raised during the annual Penguin Plunge event.  In 2010, a Penguin Plunge Facebook page was launched and the Penguin Plunge Board prepared for another banner year.

Participation numbers and donations have steadily increased over the years with the 2023 Penguin Plunge holding the current records of 841 “penguins” and the 2026 event donating a total of $20,000.  

 Various local charities have been recipients for the annual event, including:  Martha’s Kitchen/Hope Mission ($5,488 – 2 years), Carteret County Center for Domestic Violence ($6,700), Carteret County Hospice House ($16,000 – 2 years), Hope For The Warriors®($8,798), Carteret County Humane Society ($10,035), Loaves and Fishes Counseling ($11,700), Carteret Community College Foundation – Veteran Student Center ($10,300), Austin Vet Outreach/Rescue ($4,500), Mile of Hope ($9,300), the Salvation Army ($9,100), and the CCPS Foundation Teacher Fellowship ($10,400). In the 20th year, two charities were selected: BackPack Friends ($6,700) and First Rung ($6,700). Since that milestone, the ECHS Band Boosters received $12,500, and the Title Wave Bookmobile and Misplaced Mutts each received $10,000.