On Saturday, January 24th — for the 10th year in a row — CCAN supporters will run into freezing waters to raise funds for the most important cause of all: a stable climate.
In honor of the 10th anniversary of CCAN’s “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge, we’ve compiled a list of the “top 10” reasons to join us:
#10. It literally takes no will power: It’s easy to run into freezing water — when you’re surrounded by hundreds of fellow climate activists. Just watchthis video of last year’s plunge and tell me if you see anyone hesitate.
#9. You’ll secure top bragging rights: It’s easy to recruit sponsors when you tell your friends and family you’re running into the Potomac River in January. Last year, we used sledge hammers to break apart the ice beforehand — and it was our most fun and biggest fundraising year ever.
#8. It’s team-building: Are you part of a church group or environmental club? Lead a scout troop? You can raise money for our good cause while bonding through this icy feat!
#7. While the cause is serious, the day is seriously fun: On top of the exhilaration of running into icy water, we’ll have great music, speakers, food, and a toasty after party.
#6. You’ll have a chance to win great prizes: This year’s prize offerings already include a bike, dinner with Rev. Yearwood, president of the Hip Hop Caucus, and me, Patagonia gear, and a rafting trip for two!
#5. You’ll help get the word out about climate change and CCAN: This event is just crazy enough to attract media attention and raise the profile of our movement — and you could even wind up on your local TV news!
#4. You’ll meet wonderful people and inspiring leaders: Who wouldn’t want to rub elbows with VIP plungers like Congresswoman Donna Edwards and meet rock-star community activists from across our region?
#3. You’ll help us make history: For our 10th anniversary plunge, we’ve set our biggest goals ever — to recruit 300 plungers and raise $100,000 to support our work.
#2. You’ll guarantee that CCAN can keep mobilizing more and more people to take action: Raising $100,000 would fund the equivalent of two full-time organizers fighting to move our region off of dirty fossil fuels and to clean energy solutions.
#1. The climate has never needed you more: The world’s top scientists are warning of “irreversible” damage from climate change unless we rapidly switch to clean energy. CCAN is leading the way in our region, and we need your help to do even more.
Won’t you join us on Saturday, January 24th as we celebrate our 10th annual CCAN Polar Bear Plunge at National Harbor? Click here to sign up today.
Joining the plunge takes only three simple steps:
1. Create your personal fundraising page at www.keepwintercold.org. (Step-by-step instructions are below.)
2. Invite your friends, family and colleagues to sponsor your plunge.
3. Come to the event and take part in the exhilarating plunge!
Come make a difference. Have fun. And build our movement for climate solutions. Sign up for CCAN’s 2015 “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge!
POLAR BEAR PLUNGE DETAILS
WHAT: 10th Annual “Keep Winter Cold” Polar Bear Plunge
WHEN: Saturday, January 24th, 10:30am
WHERE: The Beach at National Harbor, MD.
HOW:
1. Go to www.keepwintercold.org and register as a plunger. Click on the green “Register” button at the top-right and a pop-up box will ask how many plungers you are registering — most people will choose “1.” After that, follow the easy prompts to create your personalized fundraising page. As part of the registration process, you can sign up as an individual, join an existing team or create a team of friends, family members or colleagues. You’ll also set a personal fundraising goal and we hope you’ll choose $350 or higher.
2. Send out emails to your personal networks asking them to sponsor your plunge (just like a charity walk or bike ride). You can ask friends old and new, work colleagues, family members…your dentist! You’d be surprised who will donate to your crazy winter dip. You can sign back into your personal fundraising page at www.keepwintercold.org with your FirstGiving username and password and click the “Your Fundraising” tab to easily send emails to your friends right through the website.
3. Come out on Saturday, January 24th at 10:30am to the beach at National Harbor, MD and take the plunge with hundreds of other climate activists.
