The Patterson Harbor Polar Plunge was created out of our desire to give back to the community that has given so much to us over the years. As we began to form this wonderful event in late 2011, our intent was to raise funds while we do what we do best at Patterson Harbor Marina and the Beach Bar—have fun and make memories. We never would have imagined that our wonderful community partners would help us raise over $27,000.00 at our 2022 Polar Plunge campaign.
The Polar Plunge is a great fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds raised going to support our benefactors. Initially when we formed this fundraiser, our intent was to pick one local project each year that would improve our community. After the 1st year, due to difficulties in assuring all funds would be used in the year they were raised, our fundraising focus changed. In 2013, we partnered with Alma Public Schools, with all proceeds befitting their newly formed TeamMates Mentoring Program and our newly formed Polar Plunge Post-Secondary Scholarship Program. Following a successful 2013 Polar Plunge campaign, we expanded our fundraising efforts to allow Polar Plunge participants to raise money for a designated TeamMates Mentoring Program of their choice (fundraiser benefactor only) and our annual post secondary scholarship grant program by requesting pledges to support their individual or team Polar Plunge.
These changes resulted in our most successful Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge to date at that time and allowed us extend our support to more than four (4) TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters and we were able to grant three (3) $750.00 post-secondary education scholarships to local students. In the years following 2014, we have significantly increased our fundraising totals, allowing us to expand our support to more than twelve (12) TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters as many as seven (7) post-secondary scholarships granted in a given year. It is our hope to continue to grow this wonderful event, benefiting both the TeamMates Mentoring Program and the Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship (formally the Polar Plunge Post-Secondary Scholarship).
Without the support of our local communities through event sponsorship and plunger pledges, the Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge would not be the success it has become. We thank each and every sponsor and participant for their continued support of our annual Polar Plunge event. Each year we hold the Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge in conjunction with Saint Patrick’s Day weekend festivities where 60 – 100 plungers enjoy the adrenaline rush the cold waters of Harlan County Reservoir provide, as they take their plunge in front of 100’s of spectators in the name of charity. The commitment of our Polar Plunge participants, sponsors and supporters each year, help us raise in excess of $10,000 each year. In 2021, our most successful year to date, we were able to raise over $20,000. Of these funds raised, 100% is distributed to our benefactors in the form of distributions to local TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters (typically 66 – 75% of funds raised) and The Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship (remaining distribution) each year. Each year, it’s our goal to expand our reach through the inclusion of new Polar Plunge participants and sponsors. We welcome any participants or sponsor who are willing to make the Plunge in order to benefit TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters in their area and the Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship.