Letters to the Editor

To the editor:

The 15^th annual PolaRotary Bear Plunge was a great success thanks to all who contributed: The jumpers who sacrificed their bodies to raise money for their respective favorite charity. Those who donated to the jumpers and their chosen charity.

Thanks to the businesses and individuals who, wanting to support the event without getting cold and wet, pledged $200 or more each to become “Official Sponsors.” San Bernardino County Fire’s Cold Water Rescue team was on hand to assure safety and instill confidence for the occasional “anxious” jumper.

Thanks to the Arrowhead Lake Association for sanctioning the event and providing resources to assure our success. A big thanks to Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa and their wonderful staff for providing the venue, advice and assistance. They even had a team of jumpers! The Rim High School Audio/Visual Club, under the guidance of Mr. Jared Powell, took pictures, interviewed jumpers and spectators and will produce a video for viewing on YouTube.

I would be remiss not to mention the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club who hosts the annual event, provides  volunteers who coordinate jumpers and sponsors, do the bookkeeping, staff the tables on the day of the event, and some still found time to jump into that freezing water on the day of the event.

Personally, I thank my co-chair Barry Hoy and treasurer Jeri Simpson who carried most of the load and kept me on track and out of trouble.

The continued popularity and success of the annual PolaRotary Bear Plunge is due in large part to the excellent news coverage and promotion provided by the Alpine Mountaineer and the Mountain News. A super-duper “Thank You” to both newspapers!

Thanks to all the spectators, those who gave us encouragement and smiles, and to those reading this letter to the editor.

PolaRotary Bear Plunge Committee Chair and 15-year “Jumper,” Patrick Rains