Polar Bear Plunge Fundraiser

A number of communities host Polar Bear (or similar) plunges into frigid winter waters to support Special Olympics and other worthy causes. They are open to anyone willing to “bear” the elements for a good cause. The object is simple. Raise money then plunge into the cold water! The charities raise funds from entry fees, sponsorships and the sale of “Plunge” souvenirs. The success of these events shows there are plenty of generous (and maybe crazy) people everywhere.

More: You could call them a bunch of cold, calculating folks who care. Their mothers just call them “crazy.” And they are increasing in number each year. Nearly naked souls run, walk and waddle across snow-covered Hampton Beach in Nashua, New Hampshire, in February for the Penguin Plunge to support Special Olympics.

Even More: The spirit of giving mixed with a brr-risk silliness on the Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, boardwalk finds thousands of participants in the annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge fund-raiser for Special Olympics. Participants strip down to bathing suits and trunks for a dash in and out of the ocean on a cold February day.

And Many, Many More: Similar plunges are held in Ashtabula, Ohio; Boulder, Colorado; Point Pleasant, New Jersey; Louisville, Kentucky; Newport, Rhode Island; Annapolis, Maryland; Manhattan , Kansas; and Schenectady, New York, just to name a few.

We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this section that offer a break from traditional product sales. They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true while others show a lot of creativity … and even wackiness in some cases. All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group, but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others, please send it to us via email. Include anything and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for the first time.