Onlookers watch jumpers hit the 35-degree waters of Lake Anne Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, part of the annual fundraiser for Camp Sunshine. Photo by Alex McVeigh.
Event Details
What: 8th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason (Virginia Polar Dip)
When: Saturday, Feb, 7, 2015
Where: Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront) - 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston
Time: 12 – 4 p.m. (Registration, Activities, Post-Dip Celebration). Actual Polar Dip Begins at 2 p.m.
Website(s): www.freezinforareas…, www.campsunshine.org, www.lakeanneplaza.c…
Cost: $100 minimum donation to plunge and is open to anyone willing to brave the elements for a good cause. Free to spectators. Rain or Shine (will be rescheduled if major snow storm is forecast).
Social Media: @LakeAnnePlaza @GoCampSunshine #VirginiaPolarDip
Hundreds of men, women, and children dress up in crazy costumes and converge at Lake Anne every February for the Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip. The event, in its eighth year, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7 in the heart of Reston in the bone-chilling waters at Lake Anne Plaza. This mid-winter tradition event will kick off at noon with family friendly activities and warm-up - with the Dip scheduled to take place starting at 2 p.m. Each year the event draws record crowds of both spectators and jumpers raising over $85,000. Registered participants will take a chilly full dive 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 started in 2008 by Northern Virginia based Toth family with 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, 931 people have participated in the Virginia Polar Dip raising over $395,000 for the camp. The camp organizes 9 polar dips on the East Coast each year. The event will be emceed for the fifth year in a row by 97.1 WASH-FMmorning show radio personality Chilli Amar.
Camp Sunshine is nestled alongside the shores of 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.
This year’s goal is to raise $100,000, which will allow 50 families from the Mid-Atlantic area to come to Camp Sunshine. Through pledges or self-sponsorship, each participant will raise/donate a minimum of $100 for the opportunity to plunge into the frigid waters, and will receive a commemorative “I DID IT” event shirt. Spectators are welcome to come and cheer for the plungers.
The event is sponsored by Lake Anne Plaza, Whole Foods Market – Reston, Reston Lifestyle Magazine, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, David Madison Photography, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Spotted MP (Marketing + Public Relations), Kalypso’s Sports Tavern, Fairfax Christian School, 97.1 WASH-FM, Salon Khouri, Fusion 360, Small Change Consignment, and Sheraton Reston Hotel. 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.