Parrot Heads collect donated coats, take plunge

JACKSON --- When most people hear the word charity, jumping into a swimming pool on New Year's Day is probably the last thing to cross their mind.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Johnny Johnson (from left), Connie Johnson, Susan Keene, Becky Moore, Karl Keene and Wendall Freeman, members of the Parrot Heads of the Savannah River, jump into a chilly swimming pool during their annual Polar Bear Plunge in Jackson.

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Michael Holahan/Staff

Becky Moore (from left), Connie Johnson, Susan Keene and Karl Keene make their way across a frigid swimming pool during the annual Parrot Heads of the Savannah River Polar Bear Plunge in Jackson, SC.

It turns out that is not the case. This year, six members of the Parrot Heads of the Savannah River, a fan club for singer Jimmy Buffett, decided to make their annual Polar Bear Plunge a charitable event.

Members of the group collected coats to be donated to the local Salvation Army. The rule was that every member who wanted to jump into the pool had to donate a coat.

The group gathered at the home of member Becky Moore in Jackson for this year's jump into chilly 50-degree water. Ms. Moore described what it felt like:

"It's like when you're digging into an ice cooler and you're trying to get that drink at the very bottom," she said.

According to Karl Keene, there are about 15 active members in the group.

"For the small group we've got, we do a lot of good for the local area," Mr. Keene said.

The Parrot Heads hold fundraisers throughout the year to support local charities. Charitable work from the past year included redecorating a room at the Ronald McDonald House, raising $1,200 for the Make-A-Wish foundation and answering phones for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon in June.

For their efforts, the group was awarded the Golden Coconut award for outstanding community service in 1998 from Parrot Heads in Paradise Inc., their international organization.

According to Mr. Keene, the group is also planning a plunge at a public swimming pool in conjunction with WKXC-FM radio station. They have already announced that they will collect donations of coats for the local Salvation Army. The time, date and location for the public plunge have not yet been determined.

Mr. Keene says that everything the Parrot Heads does reflects their motto of "Party With a Purpose."

And as far as jumping into the cold water, it's all a matter of mental discipline.

"It's all in your mind," Mr. Keene said. "If you think and dress tropical, you are tropical."

Reach Jonathan Overstreet at (706) 823-3708 or jonathan.overstreet@augustachronicle.com.