With his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, Hillendale Elementary School Principal Steve Dissinger charged “conspiracy” when he lost a bet and had to jump into a frigid Brandywine Creek.

It was the sixth annual Polar Plunge held Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Brandywine Picnic Park. The water temperature was 38 degrees. The air temperature was reported to be 30 degrees, but the wind chill was a lot colder, estimated at 15-20 degrees shortly before the 11:30 a.m. plunge. The event benefits the Brandywine Valley Association.

Dissinger and Clifton Beaver, the principal at Unionville Elementary, had a friendly wager worked out over which could raise more money. The loser would have to “go for the cold.” Each would have a jar for BVA donations at the schools — one jar for each principal at both schools. The jars for Beaver had more money than those for Dissinger, even at Hillendale.

“I believe there was somebody at Hillendale that was taking money from the Mr. D jar, my jar, [and putting it in Mr. Beaver’s]. I think there’s conspiracy,” Dissinger said with a big grin before his plunge into the cold water. “I want that to be on record.”

He vowed that Beaver would get wet, too. “He’s getting wet, no matter what the jar says.”

And that is what happened.

The two elementary schools raised more than $600, Dissinger said. A little more than $300 was raised at Hillendale

Beaver did join in the frigid fun, as did school Superintendant John Sanville, who has taken part in the event all six years. There were also close to 40 members of the Kappa Sigma fraternity from Widener University. There were close to 200 plungers in all.

Sanville said he gets involved because, “The BVA is a great organization. It’s a great community event for a great cause.”

Among the other participants were Ellen Peters, of West Chester, and Kristin Dunning of Wallingford. Both were apprehensive before jumping in.

“We’re crazy,” Peters said when asked why the two were about to jump into frigid water.

“It’s the only possible explanation,” Dunning added.

According to Peters, the two came to independent decisions in June that it would be a good idea.

“In June, it sounded like a good idea. In February, it’s not a good idea,” she said.

Mike Kelly, from East Bradford Township and one of the Widener students, vice- president of the Kappa Sigma chapter at the school, said his family has been

involved in the plunge from the beginning.

“I had the opportunity to get all my fraternity brothers involved for a good cause. It’s good community service,” Kelly said.

The money raised from pledges — $35 to take the plunge, $25 with student ID —as well as other donations, helps BVA raise awareness of the need for clean water and helps with conservation efforts. In the first five years, the Polar Plunge has raised almost $74,600.