For the first time, Team Summer supporters joined an event that makes us shiver just thinking about it! It’s called the Alpharetta Polar Bear Plunge where anyone brave enough – or foolish enough – can form a team to raise money for the charity of their choice. Participants rally friends and family to donate to their cause…with the promise that they will jump into freezing cold water! (Yes, you read that right!)
Meet Team Summer’s Polar Bears! You can tell they are ours by their matching polar bear ears!
Early one Saturday morning in February, they gathered with all the other teams and heard some heart-stopping news: In the seven years of this event, the water was the coldest it has ever been – a startling 38 degrees! YIKES! But that didn’t stop our gang! (Can you spot them by their polar bear ears?)
Even though the Team Summer Polar Bears were the new kids on the block, they made their mark! Every single one of them entered the water from the high dive (!) – jumping and flipping into the freezing cold water!!! Their energy, enthusiasm, and bravery were truly inspiring!
What’s even more impressive than their diving skills is their fundraising success. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and supporters, this small but mighty group raised more than $11,000, ranking 10th out of 62 teams. It’s an incredible achievement that will go a long way toward helping kids with cancer!
This event was about so much more than jumping into icy water. It was about courage, teamwork, and determination. These kids proved that no challenge is too big when you’re freezin’ for a reason! We couldn’t be prouder of them!
So, who’s up for next year?? Bring it on!
And from Team Summer, we’d like to add a big thank you to the Alpharetta Rotary Foundation for putting on such an amazing event!
