There are currently only about 7000 cheetahs left in the wild.  The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), is the world's leading research facility working to save them.  CCF was founded by Dr. Laurie Marker in 1990, in Otjiwarongo, Namibia.  Dr. Marker is a leader in animal conservation worldwide, receiving numerous prestigious awards

The Chillin' for Cheetah plunge is one of the New York Chapter's ways of helping raise money for CCF.  We were freezing our butts off even during the pandemic, although for one of the swims, there were only three of us.  We went to City Island in The Bronx.  There was about a foot of snow on the ground, so the walk to the water's edge was as bad as the plunge!  The beach was about one hundred yards to the water, wearing water shoes as open as flip-flops.  By the time we got to the water, my feet were numb half way up my shins!  To make matters worse, it was one of those beaches where we had to wade in half way to Connecticut to get deep enough to dive in!  

Driving home, I had the car heater on high, blasting my feet.  It took almost half an hour before I could feel my feet again.  :-). 

Sunday, December 4th is International Cheetah Day.  We will once again plunge to raise money for CCF.  I hope everyone reading this will consider donating $25 or more to help raise money for worthwhile endeavor.

Thanks in advance, Gary