A variety of local celebrities will be returning for this year’s Polar Bear Plunge including: Buncombe County Commisioner, David Gantt; Buncombe County Sheriff, Van Duncan; Meals On Wheels Board Chair, Brock Himan and Executive Director, Dianne Trammel. In addition, there will be some new faces including Assistant Fire Chief David McFee from the Asheville Fire Dept., Interim Police Chief Wade Wood from the Asheville Police Dept. and other city and county officials. This event is not just for celebrities. The Polar Bear Plunge is open to anyone willing to raise $150 (the cost of 1-month’s worth of meals for the elderly) and brave the icy water.

The annual fundraiser, now in its fourth year, was originally the brainchild of Barbie Hunter, ARC staff member who wanted to host an event to benefit seniors here in Buncombe County. “We started in 2009 with just a handful of staff and club members who were willing to raise money and take the plunge. It’s so much fun and each year just keeps getting bigger and better!”

Over the past three years, the annual winter event has raised nearly $30,000 for Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County. Each polar bear does online fundraising by setting up a webpage and collecting sponsorships contributed by friends, family and coworkers as they vie for the title of “Top Polar Bear”. Donations are taken online at: http://www.firstgiving.com/MOWABC/2012-polar-bear-plunge. A post-jump hot chili lunch will be served in the ARC clubhouse at a cost of $7.00 per person. The public is invited to attend and cheer on their favorite jumper. This year’s fundraising goal is $25,000 with proceeds to benefit Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County.

For more information, please contact the Asheville Racquet & Fitness Club at (828) 274-3361 or Meals On Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County at (828)253-5286. You can sponsor your favorite jumper by visiting www.mowabc.org and follow the links to their Polar Bear page.

Meals On Wheels of Asheville-Buncombe County currently serves nearly 500 homebound seniors a hot nutritious lunch 5 days a week. In addition to weekday meal delivery, Meals On Wheels offers a variety of helpful programs and services designed to allow seniors to remain in their own homes, among familiar surroundings and age with dignity. For more information, please contact Terri Bowman, Development Director at (828) 253-5286.

(Image provided by Meals on Wheels.)

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