Cold - really, really cold and pretty nasty - weather forced a February date for intrepid Robbins plungers.

Last Saturday, however, a big crowd gathered below the bridge on N.C. 705, the Pottery Highway, for the second annual outdoor event known as the Brrr Creek Plunge.

It's a brisk leap into icy cold Bear Creek waters by oddly costumed teachers, school principals, local characters and other brave chilly-dippers to raise money for various worthy causes.

The plunge is always going to be a fundraiser. Last year's event benefitted Foothills Outdoors, a local nonprofit organized to make kayaking and canoeing more accessible to young folks who would like to explore the waters of northern Moore County flowing into Deep River - thence to its convergence with the Haw to become the Cape Fear, which reaches the coast.

This year's plungers included Robbins Town Manager George Hayfield and Police Chief Jeff Sheffield, along with event organizer, Dr. William McDuffie, and school principals from Robbins Elementary, Elise Middle and High Falls Elementary.

"Between 300 and 400 people attended the event," said Robbins Mayor Theron Bell. "The plunge raised around $1,000 for their schools and did a great job of bringing the community together. The Coffee Shop donated free coffee after the event."

With the crowd warmed up, the main attraction, decked in various crazy outfits, came down the hill to take the plunge. Seth "Penguin" Powers led the way, having raised the highest amount of money for High Falls Elementary School.

Following close behind were Heather "Icicle" Seawell from Robbins Elementary, Brenda "Ice cube" Cassady from Elise Middle School, and Lisa "Popsicle" Scott from West Moore Elementary School.

One brave student, Tristan Mackey, joined in for the fun of it.

Imagine a sunny Saturday in February, freezing cold water, and a 6-foot-5-inch man in a dress jumping in and frolicking about in the water with four principals, a chief of police, the town manager and Robbins' new coffee store owner

All gathered at Dalton Cheek's very popular Bear Creek Access as the plunge plunged into operation.

"Chief Jeff Sheffield escorted the lovely William McDuffie Jr. to the edge of Bear Creek, where to the delight and surprise of the crowd, he also jumped in," said McDuffie, describing the day. "George Hayfield, town manager, and Coffee Shop owner Christy Gibbons also made the plunge. Altogether, they raised more than $2,000 for their schools. All of Robbins can't wait to see what they will do next year."

McDuffie, president of the North Carolina Canoe Racing Association, has worked with others in the area to promote Robbins as the centerpoint of an outdoor recreation destination featuring hiking trails and waterway exploration.

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.