Fundraising Underway for Rhode Island Polar Dip on Feb. 15 at Oakland Beach in Warwick

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

WARWICK, R.I. (January 21, 2014) – Fundraising efforts are underway for the Rhode Island Polar Dip to benefit Camp Sunshine on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Oakland Beach in Warwick, R.I.

Participants will plunge into the icy waters of Greenwich 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.

The Rhode Island Polar Dip has again 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/RhodeIslandPolarDip2014. For more information, call (207) 655-3800.

Organizers have set a goal to raise $20,000 – enough to send 10 Rhode Island 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 a coveted “I DID IT!” t-shirt. The event is hosted by Iggy’s, located at 885 Oakland Beach Ave. in Warwick, where registration will get underway at 10 a.m. with the plunge set for noon.

“The reality of this event is that the discomfort our 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 Rhode Island Polar Dip as they are most definitely  Freezin for a Reason.”

Those unable or not willing to submerge in near-freezing water can still participate in the Chicken Dip. Chicken dippers are still required to raise the minimum of $100 to participate, but only need to get their feet wet – a perfect opportunity for some of Camp Sunshine’s children to take part, Smith said.

Also, the local coordinators of the event, the Henriques family of Warwick, have created a raffle to help support the Rhode Island Polar Dip. Those interested in donating are asked to contact Christina Henriques at christina757@aol.com.

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.

About Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine is a year-round retreat, which provides respite, support, joy, and hope to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through various stages of a child’s illness. The program is free of charge to all families, and includes 24-hour on-site medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups are also offered for families who have lost a child to an illness. To support Camp Sunshine, call (207) 655-3800 or visit www.campsunshine.org.

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Event listing

WHAT: Rhode Island Polar Dip to benefit Camp Sunshine

WHEN: Saturday, February 15, 2014 at noon (registration begins at 10 a.m.)

WHERE: Oakland Beach in Warwick, R.I. (Iggy’s, 885 Oakland Beach Ave.) 

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

MORE INFO:  Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges and jump into Greenwich Bay to receive an official “I DID IT” long-sleeved t-shirt.  All proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine. The goal is to raise $20,000.

WEBSITE: http://www.crowdrise.com/RhodeIslandPolarDip2014

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

Here is more news and information about Camp Sunshine