Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Club Members Brave Cold Water For a Good Cause

Blue Bend, WV – The outside temperature may have been unseasonably warm on March 10th, but that didn’t do much to raise the 36 degree water temperature in Anthony Creek at the Blue Bend Recreational area. Nevertheless, over 100 intrepid members of the Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Club braved the cold waters to raise money for the Child and Youth Advocacy Center in Lewisburg. The CYAC serves the needs of abused and neglected children in Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties.

Club officials estimate over 700 people attended the yearly event held at the recreational area in the Monongahela National Forest. In all over $11,500.00 was raised for the non-profit CYAC. Polar Bear club members have been raising funds through sponsorships and t-shirt advertising since January, according to a club press release.

CYAC Director Monica Acord says “it was heartwarming to see the polar bears raise awareness in our effort to end child abuse in the Greenbrier Valley.” She says the CYAC wants to thank all of the club members and they look forward to their future relationship with the club.

This year’s festivities also included the club’s costumed mascot, a Polar Bear named Icee’, played by Lewisburg resident Larry Davis. Club members also sang Ode to Polar Bear’ and passed the Polar Bear Club Plunge Resolution which honors the late Kay Sweet Giggenbach of White Sulphur Springs, as the inspiration for the club. The Greenbrier East High School Jr. ROTC provided a Color Guard, and the National Anthem was trumpeted by Dawn Marks, of Lewisburg.

The next annual meeting of the Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge Club is scheduled for March 9, 2013. For videos you can visit their fan page at www.facebook.com slash GreenbrierPolarBear.