Fundraising Efforts Underway for Feb. 9 Maine Polar Dip in Portland to Benefit Camp Sunshine

Freezin’ for a Reason event to raise money for Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind retreat in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families

PORTLAND, Maine (January 10, 2013) – Fundraising efforts are now underway for the sixth annual Maine Polar Dip to benefit Camp Sunshine, set for noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, at East End Beach in Portland.

Participants will plunge into the icy waters of Casco Bay to raise money to help send more families to Camp Sunshine, a one-of-a-kind national retreat in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Every polar dip participant is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges.

New this year, the Maine Polar Dip has partnered with CrowdRise, a popular online fundraising platform, to make it easier for the entire community to unite, support and fundraise for Camp Sunshine. To start raising funds, form or join a team, and donate online, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/MainePolarDip. For more information, call (207) 655-3800.

Organizers have set a goal to raise $30,000 – enough to send 15 Maine families to Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org). Plungers are encouraged to create a plunge team of four or more people, consisting of co-workers and classmates and from civic groups or places of worship.

Each participant who raises at least $100 in pledges for Camp Sunshine will receive an “I DID IT!” t-shirt. East End beach is located at the base of Portland’s Eastern Promenade. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with the plunge set for noon.

“The reality of this event is that the discomfort the plungers feel for just a moment will never compare to what our families go through during the course of their child’s illness,” said Michael Smith, Camp Sunshine’s Director of Special Events. “We are so grateful to everyone who participates in the Maine Polar Dip as they are most definitely Freezin’ for a Reason.”

Nestled alongside the shores of beautiful Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org) offers children with life-threatening illnesses and their families a place to relax together for a week and to take a break from the extraordinary demands placed on them on a daily basis.

The year-round program is free of charge and staffed almost entirely by volunteers.  It is the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family. To support Camp Sunshine, please call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

About Camp Sunshine

Camp Sunshine offers children with life-threatening illnesses and their families a place to relax together for a week, and to take a break from the extraordinary demands placed upon them on a daily basis. The year-round program is free of charge and staffed almost entirely by volunteers. It is the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life-threatening illness on every member of the immediate family – the ill child, the parents and the siblings. Since its inception in 1984, Camp Sunshine has provided a haven for more than 32,000 individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to providing 24-hour on-site medical and psychosocial support, the camp offers a variety of daily activities, including swimming, boating, archery and soccer, and special events such as bonfires and cookouts; and also hosts fall and winter programs. To support Camp Sunshine, call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

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Event listing

WHAT: Sixth annual Maine Polar Dip to benefit Camp Sunshine

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at noon (registration begins at 10:30 a.m.)

WHERE: East End Beach, base of Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine  

WHO:   Event to raise money to send more Maine families to Camp Sunshine (www.campsunshine.org), a one-of-a-kind national retreat in Casco, Maine for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families

MORE INFO: Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges and plunge into Casco Bay to receive an official “I DID IT” long-sleeved t-shirt.  All proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine. The goal is to raise $30,000.

WEBSITE: http://www.crowdrise.com/MainePolarDip

CONTACT: Michael Smith, Camp Sunshine (207) 655-3800 msmith@campsunshine.org

Photos from the 2012 Maine Polar Dip, video from 2011 event

Here is more news and information about Camp Sunshine