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No country for cold men.

With Winterfest scheduled for Jan. 22-24, beneficiaries of one of its most popular events, the Polar Bear Plunge, slated for 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, hope to draw greater participation.

Warren Salvation Army Major Ronald Starnes said nearly 75 people took the plunge last year and he expects between 80 and 85 this year.

The anticipated increase would be caused by word-of-mouth, Starnes said, with people who enjoyed participating in the past getting their friends to join them.

The Salvation Army received $8,000 from the 2009 Polar Bear Plunge, Starnes said, a figure which he hopes to match this month.

Funds are used to help people with needs, Starnes said, such as utilities, food and other necessary items.

The Polar Bear Plunge is unique, Starnes said, as he knows of no other Salvation Army in the country with a similar event.

The fundraiser reminds people of the need to help others in the community, Starnes said, and gives everyone a chance to participate.

"Young or old, there's no limit to those who can go into the water," he said.

Those planning to participate should dress for the occasion, Starnes said, so they do not hurt themselves.

Starnes anticipates the weather will be very cold, so he advised people not linger in the water for too long.

Once leaving the water, Starnes said people should have clothes which they can put on such as robes so they can warm up as soon as possible.

Other clothes should keep wearers warm and protected, Starnes said, while not causing them to sink, such as jeans.

Warren County American Red Cross Chapter Executive Director Rex Rossey said after changing into warm dry clothes, participants should move into a warm place and drink plenty of warm fluids while avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Parents should not allow young children without swimming ability to go into the water, Starnes said, without being right next to them.

Those taking part in the plunge should get out of the cold immediately if the signals of hypothermia or frostbite appear, Rossey said, and seek professional medical care as soon as possible.

For frostbite, Rossey said signals include lack of feeling in the affected area and skin that appears waxy, is cold to the touch, or is discolored such as being flushed, white, gray, yellow or blue.

Hypothermia may quickly become life-threatening, Rossey said, and is caused by the cooling of the body due to the failure of the body's warming system.

Hypothermia signals include shivering, numbness, glassy stare, apathy, weakness, impaired judgment and loss of consciousness, Rossey said.

While he was unaware of any medical issues at plunges in years past, Starnes said volunteer firefighters or fire police are always on hand to make sure nothing happens.

Participants should not enter the water with bare feet, Starnes said, as the ice and snow could rip their skin.

Starnes said he was thankful for Winterfest to allow his organization to hold its fundraiser and hopes people will enjoy the Polar Bear Plunge.