The 12th annual Polar Bear Jump benefiting the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank took place on Saturday, February 21, 2015. More than 700 ‘polar bears’ braved the icy waters, wind and 4-inches of fresh snow at the Portage Lakes State Park.
During the Polar Bear Jump, coordinated locally by the Portage Lakes Polar Bear Club, thousands of spectators came to support more than 700 jumpers who plunged into the icy Portage Lakes. The jumpers raised more than $100,000, the largest amount in the jump’s 12 years, and will provide 400,000 meals for those facing hunger locally.
One of the brave jumpers was President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Dan Flowers. “We are so grateful for the people who showed their generous and adventurous spirits by jumping into the Portage Lakes to support the Foodbank," said Flowers. “I am so proud of our Foodbank team who jumped and truly rallied around this incredible event.”
Throughout the Polar Bear Jump’s 12-year history, it has raised nearly $600,000 for local charitable organizations. If jumpers raised $500 or more, they became a VIPB—very important polar bear. The benefits of a VIPB included priority jumping and a concierge to hold your clothing while you jump. A crowd favorite was Chilly Chicken’s jump. Those who were too “chicken” to jump could pay Chilly Chicken $50, and she jumped for them.
The plunge began with the employees from the FirstEnergy Corporation who raised more than $26,000 for the Foodbank. Following them were 40 jumpers from Kisling, Nestico & Redick who raised more than $25,000.