Lake Anne Plaza will be filled with people of all ages dressed in crazy costumes and creative fare as they jump into bone-chilling Lake Anne for the 4th Annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Saturday, February 5, 2011. The event will kick off at 1:00PM with plaza family activities and warm-up – with the dip scheduled to take place starting at 2:00PM. Registered participants will take a chilly full plunge 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 was started in 2008 by Northern Virginia based family the Toth’s after 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, 180 people have participated in the Virginia Polar Dip raising over $73,000 for the camp. The camp organizes nine polar dips on the East Coast each year.
Celebrating their 27th year, Camp Sunshine is nestled alongside the shores of beautiful 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. The year-round program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also
offered for families who have lost a child to an illness.
This year’s goal is to raise $75,000 which will allow 37 families from the VA/MD/DC area to come to Camp Sunshine. Through pledges or self-sponsorship, each participant will pay a minimum of $100 for the opportunity to plunge into the frigid waters. All plungers receive an official “I Did It” Virginia Polar Dip T-Shirt. Spectators are welcome to come and cheer for the plungers.
The event is sponsored by Lake Anne, David Madison Photography, Jasmine Café, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Sheraton Reston Hotel, and Spotted MP Marketing & Public Relations. 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.
- What: 4th Annual Freezin for a Reason Polar Dip
- When: Saturday, February 5, 2011
- Where: Lake Anne Plaza (Waterfront) – 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston, VA 20190
- Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM (Registration, Activities, Post-Dip Celebration. Polar Dip Scheduled for 2PM)
- Website(s): www.freezinforareason.com, www.campsunshine.org, www.lakeanneplaza.com
- 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).
co-hosted by Miracle Valley Vineyards and Casanel Vineyards. We’ll be sampling Casanel Vineyards Viognier and Norton along with Miracle Valley Vineyards’ Cabernet Franc and Symphony – a red dessert wine which will be accompanied by chocolate samples, hand made on site by Chesapeake Chocolates. All of this just in time for Valentine’s Day. Substantial discounts given for purchasing or ordering these wines at the tasting. Surprise door prize. Plenty of Free parking.
