Intrepid fundraisers will once again plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Superior this spring, in an effort to raise funds for Thunder Bay charities.

The 15th annual PDR Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled for April 6 at Marina Park. This year's event aims to raise $75,000, which will be split among ProKids, Special Olympics Thunder Bay, CNIB, and Roots Community Food Centre.

"Donating to charities is an extra for people," said Erin Beagle, executive director of Roots Community Food Centre. "And when we are not sure what's happening with our own finances, it's hard for people to make commitments that are these extras."

"So what we see from the charity side is a little bit more reluctance to give, and maybe giving less, too, because people need to make choices and their own costs are going up," she said. "When we can fundraise collectively like this, people don't need to make large commitments. They can sponsor somebody for $10 to plunge."

But that adds up, Beagle said; last year, the event drew 400 plungers and raised a record-breaking $166,000.

Peter Kibzey, general manager for Domtar Ontario Woodlands, was last year's top fundraiser.

"Our team had 15 participants and we raised just over $11,000," he said. "And this year, we're hoping to double the number of people that participate, and the dollars that we generate for the four great charities."

"The four organizations are all local," he said. "All the money gets spent and used locally, and we're just really proud to be part of that."

Beagle said the funds raised through the polar bear plunge will go to support Roots to Harvest's youth employment programs.

Those programs, she said, are geared toward "young people who may or may not otherwise get jobs, may or may not be finishing school, and making sure they have the support they need to be able to come in and work all summer long."

Beagle is a plunger herself.

"It is shockingly cold," she said. "It takes your breath away."

To sign up, visit the PDR Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge website.