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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/44/TsP2h.St.138.jpeg|414"Polar Bear" swimmers gather for a party at Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte before plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. Hundreds of children and adults swam in frigid Lake Norman on New Years Day, not only to test their mettle in the cold and rain but to contribute to a lifesaving cause. The Òpolar bearsÓ braved 50-degree waters at the fifth annual Polar Plunge at Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte to raise thousands of dollars for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). The Iredell County non-profit works with families at risk of child abuse and neglect. The swimmersÕ message: Too many children -- 30 in 2012 alone -- continue to die in North Carolina at the hands of parents and guardians. Before plunging into the lake between 1 and 2 p.m., those gathered remembered the 20 first-graders and six adults who died in the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. They wrote their thoughts and prayers on the back of the eventÕs official banner, which will be delivered to Newtown, Connecticut. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/41/ysrVk.St.138.jpeg|414Sisters Wendy Wyman and Shelley Strattman and friend Abby Rapier attend a party in costume as mermaids before plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/40/18RFsV.St.138.jpeg|423L-r Olivia Dunning, 9, and Tess Ryan, 10, wrote their thoughts and prayers on the back of the eventÕs official banner, which will be delivered to Newtown, Connecticut. Before plunging into the lake, those gathered remembered the 20 first-graders and six adults who died in the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/41/gRgBj.St.138.jpeg|435Sisters Lena Mitrani, 9 and Soleil Mitrani, 7, attended a party in costume before plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/41/sAH3k.St.138.jpeg|302"Polar Bear" swimmers walk across the golf course to a beach on the 18th fairway where they will take the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/41/1enJFM.St.138.jpeg|525"Polar Bear" swimmers get psyched up before plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/iTU54.St.138.jpeg|266Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/1ipoHq.St.138.jpeg|489Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/8XtMF.St.138.jpeg|435Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/S2Ls.St.138.jpeg|469Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/16O0Ae.St.138.jpeg|419Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers hurry back out of the frigid water after plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2013/01/01/16/35/18RFpe.St.138.jpeg|406Hundreds of "Polar Bear" swimmers hurry back out of the frigid water after plunging into the frigid waters of Lake Norman during the Jan.1, 2013 Polar Plunge. DIEDRA LAIRD - dlaird@charlotteobserver.com
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