Eric German is on a mission. To stop the cruel treatment of animals.

And he’s willing to swim in frosty waters to make his point.

German, 36, organized a polar plunge for 4 p.m. this Saturday at Camp Papillon Animal Shelter in waters that will take his and about 30 other participant’s breath away.

“It started about five years ago when I was told about this dog left out in Stroudsburg that was chained for a week with no food and no water except a frozen bowl of water,” he said. “It was legal to do it at the time. Nothing could be done about it. This was a way for me to send a message publically that there are people out there like me that are against this. There is no reason for animal abuse.”

Each plunger must raise at least $100 for the right to take the dive. Others are encouraged to come and watch the event – it’s open to the public. Donations will be accepted on the spot. And you don’t even have to get wet.

It’s the fifth year German has organized the plunge. In that time, he has raised $25,000 to benefit animals that have been abused, neglected and abandoned.

“There was a motorcycle ride this summer that generated enough money to build a heating system for the cats that they have there that they didn’t have,” German said. “So this whole winter it’s been heated because of this ride and all the great people who came out for it.”

How do you prepare for a plunge in freezing water?

“You don’t,” German said. “As soon as you get in the water it’s a shock to your system. Then you’re tired the rest of the day but you know you’ve done the right thing, so that kind of subsides the coldness for a while.”

If you can’t make the event but want to donate, just go to camppapillon.org/ and click on Polar Plunge 2018.

Camp Papillion is located at 128 Brainerd Lane in Stroudsburg, near the Snydersville Diner.