The Rotary Club of Alpharetta got cold for a cause on February 3rd with their 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge. The Club smashed last year's record of $120K, raising $165K with over 150 jumpers. Nonprofits, schools, clubs, and community groups form teams and raise money for their cause. Teams get to keep most of the funds raised, with a small percentage going to the club.
Open to the public, enthusiastic fans were blessed with sunshine and 50° temperatures. The plungers took over an hour to jump, followed by a tasty Chili Cookoff. Lionheart Life Center and the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra were this year's team leaders. Lionheart provides education and therapy to children with autism and developmental challenges and raised nearly $15K. The ASO set a new personal record of $14.5K. Notable Jumpers included the Mayors of Alpharetta and Roswell, the North Fulton Rotary Club, and the Rotary Club of Roswell.
Alpharetta City Councilman John Hipes, who served as the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra team captain, said, "The Polar Bear Plunge is an opportunity for people to support their passions in the community. We could all pick, and people in the community who aren't in Rotary could pick their passion and jump in cold water, and the net result is almost $165,000."
"That is the most awesome Rotary project I could ever imagine in my life."