(PHOTOS) Cheyenne community members gather for annual polar plunge

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Some people call it crazy, some call it masochistic, but for the Schwartz Polar Plunge participants, jumping into freezing lake water in the middle of winter is a revered tradition.

Dozens of Cheyenne community members, decked out in winter coats and swimsuits, gathered at Kiwanis Community House at Lions Park this morning to celebrate the city’s 10th annual plunge.

Members of the F.E. Warren Air Force Fire Department also came to the event to supervise and assist participants.

For $30 per person, anyone could sign up to dive into the designated plunge area at Sloan Lake.

All proceeds will go toward the EOD Warrior foundation, a Florida-based nonprofit providing financial assistance and support to veterans and those in active duty.

Last year, participants and supporters raised roughly $6,500 for the foundation.

Created in 2013, the event is named after Technical Sergeant Matthew Schwartz, who worked at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and was killed in 2012 in Afghanistan when his vehicle was hit by an explosive device.