December 30, 2014 at 3:03 p.m.
15th annual Polar Bear Plunge to be held at Bonnie's Lakeside in Three Lakes
15th annual Polar Bear Plunge to be held at Bonnie's Lakeside in Three Lakes
By Kayla Thomason-
Food and beverages will be available before and after the event.
The brave souls who take the plunge can warm up in a heated tent where more food and beverages will be available.
The Three Lakes Fire Department donated the tent, heaters, chairs and tables for the Polar Bear Plunge.
"The town of Three Lakes has been overwhelmingly support[ive of] us between the fire department, the chamber of commerce, the police department and the school," said Mike Wolf, Polar Bear Plunge organizer. "The entire town of Three Lakes -- all the businesses, everybody -- has basically welcomed us with open arms for this event. It's been quite incredible."
The high school students are making the awards in their Fab Lab - the first MIT-chartered lab in a K-12 school system in Wisconsin and only the sixth such lab in the entire state. In the past all of the awards, tents, heaters, tables etc. were purchased out of pocket. Everyone's efforts are appreciated in putting the event together, Wolf said.
Participants will receive a commemorative plunge towel and rubber bracelet after they have braved the icy water.
"A lot of people don't think about it, they don't think about a towel, they don't think about different stuff, when they get out of the water they're kind of chilled right away and we want to be able to do something," Wolf said.
There will be raffle prizes such as a TV and other electronics, kitchen appliances, fishing equipment and items for children.
"Anybody will be excited when they see the raffle prizes because they cover all the age [groups]," Wolf said.
Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the event and people can place as many as they would like in each item's bucket.
People can get a pledge waiver at www.wrjo.com, the WRJO radio station in Eagle River, the Three Lakes Chamber of Commerce or Bonnie's Lakeside.
Plungers must raise a minimum of $35 in pledges to participate in the event. Anyone under the age of 18 must have parental consent.
Waivers may be faxed to WRJO at (715) 479-6511 or The Business Connection at (715) 542-2881.
The forms may also be turned in on the day of the plunge.
Out of every dollar raised, $0.97 goes to Angel On My Shoulder. The Polar Bear Plunge has raised a total of $333,400 over the past 14 years. Last year, 89 people took the plunge and raised over $28,827.
Angel On My Shoulder is a non-profit cancer support foundation throughout Wisconsin. The organization operates three camps, Camp Angel, Camp Teen Angel and Adventure Angel, where children who have or had loved ones battling cancer can go to just be children, get away from their troubles and connect with others who are going through the same thing. The camps are free.
"It takes less than a minute to take the plunge so if you've never done it come on out, it is a little cold, it is a little chilly but it takes less than a minute to do it and it provides a weekend full of fun for all the kids that are able to go to camp," Wolf said.
Those who have questions or are interested in plunging, sponsoring or volunteering, can visit www.angelonmyshoulder.org or contact Wolf at (715) 479-4451.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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