Braving 58-degree water, hundreds of hardy swimmers took part in a "Polar Plunge" in Manhattan Beach on Sunday.

(Watch them splash in our Manhattan Beach News Instagram reel here.)

The second annual event, chaired by CT3 Foundation founders Chris Taylor and his wife Mary and emceed by entertainer Mario López, raised money for the South Bay-based Friendship Foundation and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Participants paid $200 or more to take the "plunge."

Chris Taylor launched the event by thanking his Dodger teammates for participating. "It really does mean the world to us - and I think it speaks volumes about our team, and how close we are and we support one another."

Mary Taylor added that the Friendship Foundation had become a cause "dear to our hearts."

"Something people with special needs really struggle with is developing a sense of community, and that's something that [the Friendship Foundation] really focuses on," she said, noting that the foundation's Friendship Campus is nearly complete.

However, Chris Taylor continued, "This year with the recent fires and devastation, Mary and I decided we wanted to pivot a little bit and we added the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation on as an additional beneficiary, and the Friendship Foundation was so generous and completely on board with adding them." To the fire department members on hand, he added, "I think I speak for all of the South Bay and Los Angeles - we're so proud of you guys and we really appreciate your selflessness and your bravery every day."

The theme of building community was echoed by other dignitaries on hand at the event. 

L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell spoke of her pride at how the South Bay has embraced so many impacted families.

"Just like the Friendship Foundation is about belonging; we all want to have a sense of belonging. - particularly now when people are displaced from their communities," said Mitchell. "And to have a community welcome them in wholeheartedly means the world to me as your LA County Supervisor and to all of us."

Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth concurred: "It is about belonging, it is about community. Being a friend to anyone is a gift you give yourself. Reaching out, showing up - that's what today is about - building community and re-building community."

Also appearing at the event were Julian Richardson, who sang the national anthem; Rabbi Yossi Mintz, executive director and president of the Friendship Foundation; and members of the Mira Costa Drum line, who led participants down to the water. 

Through the CTE Foundation, Chris and Mary Taylor aim to help children with cancer and other life-altering medical conditions, and those overcoming other challenging circumstances.

Chris Taylor was first inspired to establish the foundation after Kyle Profilet, a childhood friend, lost his two-and-a-half year battle with the bone cancer known as osteosarcoma in 2019. Other forms of sarcoma also claimed the life of a childhood friend of Mary's as well as a neighbor of the Taylors.