Start a new year with a freezing dip in the Atlantic, for a cause (Update: Coverage)

Image by Flickr user Linda Duchaine

Update: For a chilly dip did thousands come.

Live 5 News was on scene and has a nice video report — check it out up top or over here.

Also worth a shout out are The Post and Courier's report and photos, and the Charleston City Paper's photo gallery.

First reporting: Dunleavy's Polar Plunge into the freezing waters off the coast of Sullivan's Island is set for New Years Day at 1 p.m. - but the fun begins around 11 a.m. when people for gather food and drink.

The Dunleavy's Pub New Years Day Polar Plunge raises money to benefit Special Olympics athletes in South Carolina. This year, the goal is to raise a cool $20,000 for the cause.

On the Polar Plunge page, organizers have posted a link to FirstGiving.com (an online fundraising website) as well as a link to a hard copy of the pledge form. In addition, they offer up some great fundraising ideas to help you along the way.

For more information on ways to participate and contribute, visit the official event website.