Salvation Army Turkey Plunge will take place on Oct. 29

LACONIA — The 12th Annual Turkey Plunge, benefiting the local Salvation Army, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Opechee Cove Beach in Laconia. This fun, family-oriented event allows daring souls to run into the water at Opechee Beach while raising money through pledges for the work of the Salvation Army. The festivities will start at 11 a.m.

Plungers are encouraged to jump in the lake with prizes awarded for the best costumes. Immediately following the Plunge, a luncheon will be served at the adjacent Laconia Middle School. Door prizes and awards for the team with most plungers and the team raising the most money for the Salvation Army will be made at the luncheon. The luncheon is open to the general public for a modest $5 with soup, chowder, chili and desserts coming from some of the Lakes Region's finest restaurants. Plungers receive free admission to the luncheon.

"This is a significant fund-raising activity for our local Salvation Army," said Captain Scott McNeill of the Salvation Army. He added that 100 percent of the funds raised at the Turkey Plunge, after expenses, will go directly to fund Salvation Army programs such as the homeless shelter at the Carey House, the food pantry, which last year, had 6,500 visitors, provided toys for more than 1,600 children during the 2015 holidays, served 16,000 meals to neighbors in need and helped send low-income kids to summer camp. Anyone interested in learning more about the Turkey Plunge is invited to visit www. saTurkeyPlunge.org.

Tommy Turkey, mascot of the Salvation Army's Turkey Plunge and Salvation Army Captain Scott McNeill ask everyone to save the date for this year's fund-raising event. (Courtesy photo)