5th Annual Freezin for a Reason Polar Dip

It’s that time of year again when people arrive decked out in crazy costumes and creative flair  to Reston as they jump into bone-chilling waters of Lake Anne for the 5th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, February 4, 2012.  The event will kick off at 1:00PM with family friendly activities and warm-up - with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2:00PM.  Last year’s event drew record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $84,000.  Registered participants will take a chilly full plunge or a “Chicken Dip” – to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a national year-round retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

The creation of the Virginia Polar Dip was started in 2008 by Northern Virginia based family the Toth’s after a long history with Camp Sunshine. They first attended Camp Sunshine as a participating family in 1996 when their daughter Jennifer was a cancer patient at age 3, and they have returned as volunteers every summer since.  After Jennifer participated in a Camp Sunshine Polar Dip in New Jersey, her family decided to bring the event to Virginia in order to help more local families.  Since 2008, 295 people have participated in the Virginia Polar Dip raising over $156,500 for the camp.  The camp organizes 11 polar dips on the East Coast each year.

Celebrating their 28th year, Camp Sunshine is nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake and provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families through various stages of a child’s illness.  The year-round program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support.  

This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 which will allow 50 families from the Mid-Atlantic area (including VA/MD/DC/DE/PA/WV/NC) to come to Camp Sunshine.  Through pledges or self-sponsorship, each participant will pay a minimum of $100 for the opportunity to plunge into the frigid waters.  Spectators are welcome to come and cheer for the plungers.

The event is sponsored by Lake Anne, David Madison Photography, Jasmine Café, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Mix 107.3 FM, Sheraton Reston Hotel, and Spotted MP Marketing & Public Relations.  For more information about the event or to register to participate, visit www.freezinforareason.com or become a Facebook Fan (Virginia Polar Dip) and view pictures from previous dips.