LEWISBURG, (WVVA) - While the weather still may be chili, some Greenbrier County residents say its the perfect time for a swim.
Residents are taking a dive into icy waters all in the spirit of raising money for a worth while cause. This year marks the 9th annual Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge.
Organizers say the charity event for the non-profit Child and Youth Advocacy Center in Lewisburg is set for Saturday, March 10, beginning at 1: p.m. at the Blue Bend Recreation Area in the Monongahela National Forest.
Since 2001, Over 80 individuals have earned their polar bear membership cards by plunging into the icy waters of Anthony Creek during the month of March. Last year, 40 kindred spirits dipped into the 39 degree water while spectators cheered on their favorite plungers. A new edition to the yearly event was the Greenbrier East Jr. ROTC Color Guard and the trumpet playing of the National Anthem while standing on the Blue Bend swinging bridge.
Planners have been meeting since January and say their polar bear plunge is quickly becoming one of the "must see" annual events in the Greenbrier Valley. Club members each year ask businesses and individuals for sponsorships and all proceeds benefit the 501-c-3, non-profit Child and Youth Advocacy Center, an organization that interviews and counsels sexually abused children in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. Currently, members are combing the area seeking Poppa Bear ($100) Momma Bear ($50) and BabyBear ($25) sponsorships.
Businesses may be listed on the Polar Bear T-shirts for $100 or listed in the event program for $5o. In the last four years, polar bear members have raised over $10,000 for the CYAC.
"This event is growing each year and it's a blast," Monica Acord, CYAC executive director, said. "Blue Bend in the Monongahela National Forest is beautiful and the perfect place for a plunge. Please bring your kids and the whole family to watch the fun and sponsor a plunger."
The one-hour event also includes club members singing the "Ode to Polar Bear" song, the Polar Bear Spirit Award winner presentation and a giant American Flag hung from the swinging bridge. Scheduled plungers include Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester, retired WV State Police Captain Jan Cahill and retired Rear Admiral Jay Bowling, who will also present a flag to the Polar Bear Spirit Award winner. The club's Facebook and YouTube pages have generated over 6,000 views in nearly 100 countries all over the world.
Event planners have applied for a special use permit from the National Forest Service and will have staffers manning parking areas, spectator areas and handing out event programs.
"This year's event is going to be bigger and better than ever. Our goal is to raise over $5,000 and to see at least 60 plungers race into in the water," said Greenbrier Polar Bear vice-president Ginger Steele.
The CYAC's mission is to end child abuse in Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties of WV by coordinating a multidisciplinary response to child maltreatment through utilizing a team approach to investigation, prosecution, treatment and prevention. For more information on how to sponsor the plunge, contact the CYAC at
304 645 4668 or visit
facebook.com/greenbrierpolarbear.
