Once a year for the past 7 years, when the frigid waters of the Angle Lake are at their coldest, a unique breed of creature migrates to the private shores of the Manor Community Beach to engage in a strange and glorious ritual. They are called Plungers, their event is Polar Bear Plunge and it’s an Angle Lake tradition. Raising awareness and charitable donations for the Tukwila Emergency Food Bank, these unique creatures dive into the icy lake and celebrate the occasion the only way they know how—by freezing their buns off!
A Reason to be Freezin’
Please consider joining the ‘courageous’ few who’ll symbolically dive into the new year by literally diving into the frigid waters of Angle Lake for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. Original justification for this act was simply because it was a crazy, wacky thing to do. However, sensible reason to justify this act has been added in effort to support a food drive to help reduce hunger in our area.
We are encouraging all participants and spectators to bring cash or check donations to be given to the Tukwila Pantry to assist their effort in providing meals to members in community who suffer from hunger.
When you think about it, $50 in the average family household may produce a couple meals at best but according to the Tukwila Pantry website, they have the ability of turning $50 into 500 meals! That’s an incredible use of limited resource. However, the website also reports that the Tukwila Pantry Emergency Food Bank operations serves nearly three thousand households representing some nine thousand individuals. That requires a lot of $50 contributions and that is where we all can help by offering any size of financial contribution. 100% of your donation will go to the Tukwila Pantry to serve toward these needs. Non-perishable packaged food donations will also be accepted.
A Chance to Win
To encourage participation, a raffle drawing will be held for a chance to win one of several Angle Lake Shore Club T-Shirts being offered. Simply by showing up to the event at the Manor Beach on New Year’s Day you will be entitled to one raffle ticket for a chance to win; Showing up in costume (regardless if you’re planning to plunge or not) will earn you a second ticket; bring a donation of ten dollars or a non-perishable food item and you’ll receive another raffle; and finally – taking the Plunge will earn you yet another ticket for an additional chance to win a prize!
Angle Lake Manor Club Beach
3419 South 194th Street
January 1st, 2013
11:00 AM Gates Open, Light Refreshments Offered
11:45 AM Raffle Prize Drawings
12:00 PM The Big Plunge
01:00 PM Conclusion
A fire will be burning to warm by and hot coffee and other refreshments will be available for participants and spectators to enjoy before the plunge. A small commemorative gift will be awarded to all participants that enter the water. Special recognition will be given to each participant that achieves Polar Cub Club status be swimming to the dive platform and back!
Hints and Safety Tips:
- Dress Up in costume over your swimsuit to add whimsy
- Come Early. Parking is limited. Carpool or come by boat.
- Anyone with heart problems should consult your health care provider before participating. If you don't participate, you’re still welcome to join us and watch.
- Do Not Stay In The Water Longer Than 15 Minutes. Body heat is lost 30 times faster in the water than in air.
- Keep Your Outer Clothing On until swim time and remove any wet clothing before getting back into dry clothes.
- Have Fun!
Last years photos are available at this link:
http://bit.ly/16VDSP8