26th Annual Polar Fest Plunge Scheduled For February 26th

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM )- The 26th Annual Polar Fest Plunge, benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, returns to Detroit Lakes on February 26th  after being canceled last year due to COVID.

“We haven’t done this for two years now,” says BGCDL executive director Pat Petermann. “Josh Duhamel, our proxy plunger, did a great job for us last year and helped us raise $23,000 which is about what we raise in a normal year with 100 jumpers. Our goal this year was to make this event more enticing for people to go out and raise money for the Club.”

With COVID canceling the group jumps last year, Josh Duhamel stepped up as the Boys and Girls Club Proxy Plunger. But this year, jumping is back open to individuals, groups, and organizations when the Polar Fest Plunge hits Detroit Lakes on February 26th as a part of Polar Fest activities.

“We did some brainstorming on people that we could have come to the event to take the plunge, or to do some performing. Bell Bank has stepped up to help us out with booking some people. Unfortunately, Josh is unable to make it this year due to a prior commitment, but Vikings tight end and Hawley native Ben Ellefson will be here to jump. Tigirlily will be here performing in our 40’x80′ heated tent after the event. There will be food and drink available after the event. But you’re going to have to earn it. When you hit that $800 level of raising money you get a VIP pass and a plus-one to that tent.”

The Boys and Girls Club’s new plunge website makes it easier than ever for people to donate to your plunge and to keep track of the Club’s overall goal, with is $30,000 dollars.

“We’ve raised our expectations,” adds Petermann. “Instead of having people show up that morning, put $50 on the table and say ‘I want to jump’ to have people go out and raise money. With this website that Phaser Marketing built us, it’s real easy to do.”

The Boys and Girls Club has been serving kids in Detroit Lakes since 1957, providing after-school services, all-day summer camps, serving hot meals in the evening during the school year, and a hot lunch during the summer, plus other youth outreach events throughout the year.

To get signed up for the 26th annual Polar Fest Plunge, you can visit BGCDL.org.