Polar Bear Plunge a New Year’s Tradition
Submitted by Editor on Thu, 12/24/2009 - 12:27pm.
Sue Bowman
Southeastern Pa. Correspondent
RICHLAND, Pa. — Just about the time many central Pennsylvanians are sitting down to a traditional New Year’s Day dinner of pork and sauerkraut, another 700 to 1,000 of their neighbors will be celebrating with a decidedly different tradition. The annual Polar Bear Plunge, appropriately termed, “Cold for a Cause,” will be taking place at noon on January 1 in the frigid waters of Willow Springs Park quarry, Richland, Pa. Despite the name, there aren’t any actual big white furry bears involved; instead, these “polar bears” are charitable human beings willing to subject themselves to an icy swim (at Willow Springs, the water stays at 42 degrees thanks to being spring-fed) in order to raise money for a worthy cause.
While some might shiver just thinking about voluntarily taking a dip in frigid water, this New Year’s Day activity has actually been gaining in popularity, here and around the nation, to benefit a variety of charitable causes. The event in Lebanon, now in its 20th year, benefits the Developmental and Disability Services of Lebanon Valley Foundation (DDS) organization. Last year the Lebanon polar bears set a new record by generating more than $11,000 in proceeds for the DDS Foundation. DDS, which is based in Lebanon, offers a variety of services for children and adults with handicaps ranging from a special pre-school, home-based therapy, day camp, scout troops and socialization opportunities for youngsters, to job coaching, an advocacy group, an art program and the Elks Home Service nurse for adults with handicaps.
DDS Vice-President of Development Jessica Penchard notes that the Polar Bear Plunge has become a tradition for many of its participants. In recent years, anywhere from 500 to 1,000 folks have shown up on New Year’s Day to take an icy dip; additionally, as many as 2,000 onlookers gather to watch their braver brethren stride into the quarry’s waters at noon. Folks begin arriving when the gates of Willow Springs Park open at 9:30 a.m. and a carnival-like atmosphere soon prevails.
Some participants, like Lebanon’s Gary Andrews, got involved through encouragement from a friend. A 63-year-old retired pharmaceuticals plant manager, Andrews has been taking the plunge for about 15 years. He says he likes doing it not only because DDS is a worthy cause, but also because, “It’s better than sitting at home watching television and eating all day.” He used to watch the plunge on the evening news — and now he’s part of it. He’s even hoping to indoctrinate his 22-month-old grandson this year, with a dip of his big toe into the water. First timers are known as “cubs” — it takes a second icy plunge the following year to qualify as a true “Polar Bear.”
Andrews prepares by dressing warmly before the event begins and enjoying food and drinks like hot chocolate and hotdogs with sauerkraut. While some folks like to ham it up in crazy costumes, Andrews just wears a regular swimming suit and rubber-soled bathing shoes when he walks into the quarry from the beach area. His strategy is to let everyone else rush into the water first. He then wades in “until it hurts” and runs back out. Andrews describes the experience as “a shock from the cold” that eventually causes the extremities to start throbbing. Others pride themselves on diving under the surface of the water and playing water games for awhile before emerging back on the beach.
Each participant has his or her own reason for starting the new year being “cold for a cause.” Some do it on a dare. Some do it in family groups. The family of one long-time Polar Bear who has passed away now takes the plunge in memory of him. And age is no barrier. While many of the growing number of Polar Bears are younger people, there are still plenty of older diehards, such as the 77-year-old man who missed his first plunge in 15 years in 2009 due to illness.
One first-timer starting a new tradition on Jan. 1, 2010, will be Mike Yiengst of Myerstown, Pa. Mike is the father of this year’s DDS poster children, twin brothers Aaron and Michael. These four-year-olds with cerebral palsy have been attending the DDS pre-school for two years and also receive speech, occupational and physical therapy from DDS. Their parents say the boys have come a long way from the infants who were hospitalized for the first six months of their lives. They report that the boys have really blossomed thanks to their social interactions with other youngsters at DDS, and they also love their bus ride to school. Although Mike has been a spectator at the Plunge in past years, he isn’t quite sure what to expect on his first time in the chilly waters. He said friends have told him, “It’s not as bad as you think,” and that after the initial shock, the adrenalin and the roaring crowd take away the discomfort. Nevertheless, Mike said he’s planning on a quick dip followed by a fast retreat back to the warmth of his sweatshirt and sweat pants. Aaron, Michael and their mother Devon will be cheering him on from the shore.
This year D.J. Dave Kaley will provide entertainment. Arioch the Magician from Philadelphia will be an added attraction. He will be handcuffed and shackled before being placed under the water — hopefully to do a Houdini-like escape.
Regardless of their individual motivations, Polar Bear Plunge participants all share in a proud tradition that has turned into a major source of funds for DDS. They are truly “cold for a cause!”
For more information go to www.ddslebanon.org; call (717) 274-3493 ext. 304 or write to DDS Polar Bear Pledge, 1126 Walnut Street, Lebanon, PA 17042.
On-site parking at Willow Springs Park is limited, so spectator parking passes are available for $20 per vehicle in advance or $25 per vehicle on the day of the Plunge; Polar Bears who collect pledges receive a free parking pass. There is also free parking with shuttle bus service available on the parking lot of the Dutchway Market along nearby Route 422.
Sue Bowman
Southeastern Pa. Correspondent
RICHLAND, Pa. — Just about the time many central Pennsylvanians are sitting down to a traditional New Year’s Day dinner of pork and sauerkraut, another 700 to 1,000 of their neighbors will be celebrating with a decidedly different tradition. The annual Polar Bear Plunge, appropriately termed, “Cold for a Cause,” will be taking place at noon on January 1 in the frigid waters of Willow Springs Park quarry, Richland, Pa. Despite the name, there aren’t any actual big white furry bears involved; instead, these “polar bears” are charitable human beings willing to subject themselves to an icy swim (at Willow Springs, the water stays at 42 degrees thanks to being spring-fed) in order to raise money for a worthy cause.
While some might shiver just thinking about voluntarily taking a dip in frigid water, this New Year’s Day activity has actually been gaining in popularity, here and around the nation, to benefit a variety of charitable causes. The event in Lebanon, now in its 20th year, benefits the Developmental and Disability Services of Lebanon Valley Foundation (DDS) organization. Last year the Lebanon polar bears set a new record by generating more than $11,000 in proceeds for the DDS Foundation. DDS, which is based in Lebanon, offers a variety of services for children and adults with handicaps ranging from a special pre-school, home-based therapy, day camp, scout troops and socialization opportunities for youngsters, to job coaching, an advocacy group, an art program and the Elks Home Service nurse for adults with handicaps.
DDS Vice-President of Development Jessica Penchard notes that the Polar Bear Plunge has become a tradition for many of its participants. In recent years, anywhere from 500 to 1,000 folks have shown up on New Year’s Day to take an icy dip; additionally, as many as 2,000 onlookers gather to watch their braver brethren stride into the quarry’s waters at noon. Folks begin arriving when the gates of Willow Springs Park open at 9:30 a.m. and a carnival-like atmosphere soon prevails.
Some participants, like Lebanon’s Gary Andrews, got involved through encouragement from a friend. A 63-year-old retired pharmaceuticals plant manager, Andrews has been taking the plunge for about 15 years. He says he likes doing it not only because DDS is a worthy cause, but also because, “It’s better than sitting at home watching television and eating all day.” He used to watch the plunge on the evening news — and now he’s part of it. He’s even hoping to indoctrinate his 22-month-old grandson this year, with a dip of his big toe into the water. First timers are known as “cubs” — it takes a second icy plunge the following year to qualify as a true “Polar Bear.”
Andrews prepares by dressing warmly before the event begins and enjoying food and drinks like hot chocolate and hotdogs with sauerkraut. While some folks like to ham it up in crazy costumes, Andrews just wears a regular swimming suit and rubber-soled bathing shoes when he walks into the quarry from the beach area. His strategy is to let everyone else rush into the water first. He then wades in “until it hurts” and runs back out. Andrews describes the experience as “a shock from the cold” that eventually causes the extremities to start throbbing. Others pride themselves on diving under the surface of the water and playing water games for awhile before emerging back on the beach.
Each participant has his or her own reason for starting the new year being “cold for a cause.” Some do it on a dare. Some do it in family groups. The family of one long-time Polar Bear who has passed away now takes the plunge in memory of him. And age is no barrier. While many of the growing number of Polar Bears are younger people, there are still plenty of older diehards, such as the 77-year-old man who missed his first plunge in 15 years in 2009 due to illness.
One first-timer starting a new tradition on Jan. 1, 2010, will be Mike Yiengst of Myerstown, Pa. Mike is the father of this year’s DDS poster children, twin brothers Aaron and Michael. These four-year-olds with cerebral palsy have been attending the DDS pre-school for two years and also receive speech, occupational and physical therapy from DDS. Their parents say the boys have come a long way from the infants who were hospitalized for the first six months of their lives. They report that the boys have really blossomed thanks to their social interactions with other youngsters at DDS, and they also love their bus ride to school. Although Mike has been a spectator at the Plunge in past years, he isn’t quite sure what to expect on his first time in the chilly waters. He said friends have told him, “It’s not as bad as you think,” and that after the initial shock, the adrenalin and the roaring crowd take away the discomfort. Nevertheless, Mike said he’s planning on a quick dip followed by a fast retreat back to the warmth of his sweatshirt and sweat pants. Aaron, Michael and their mother Devon will be cheering him on from the shore.
This year D.J. Dave Kaley will provide entertainment. Arioch the Magician from Philadelphia will be an added attraction. He will be handcuffed and shackled before being placed under the water — hopefully to do a Houdini-like escape.
Regardless of their individual motivations, Polar Bear Plunge participants all share in a proud tradition that has turned into a major source of funds for DDS. They are truly “cold for a cause!”
For more information go to www.ddslebanon.org; call (717) 274-3493 ext. 304 or write to DDS Polar Bear Pledge, 1126 Walnut Street, Lebanon, PA 17042.
On-site parking at Willow Springs Park is limited, so spectator parking passes are available for $20 per vehicle in advance or $25 per vehicle on the day of the Plunge; Polar Bears who collect pledges receive a free parking pass. There is also free parking with shuttle bus service available on the parking lot of the Dutchway Market along nearby Route 422.
