2010 Polar Bear Plunge benefits young mother with brain cancer

The 2010 Pocono Polar Bear Plunge, slated for Valentine's Day, will kick off at 1 p.m., when the first participant will feel the invigorating cold water of Henning's Pond in Albrightsville.

This ninth annual event will benefit Kate (Hageman) Dunham, 28, a young mother of three children who recently was diagnosed with brain cell glioma, a very serious brain tumor.

Organized by Bob Kasper, who proclaims himself as Mr. Polar Bear, the event has been the highlight of approximately 60 plungers a year for the past eight years.

For information about registration, call Kasper at (570) 646-6600 or 1 (888) 727-2985 or Robert Christians Restaurant at (570) 646-0533.

"This festive event is very exciting, yet may be dangerous to one's health," notes Kasper, who officially retired as a participant a few years ago. During the years that he dove into the water, he organized the event wearing a white terry cloth bathrobe and flip flops.

Every participant must sign a liability waiver and participants pay a fee for the privilege of jumping, which helps defray the cost of the event.

Snacks are provided for plunge enthusiasts during the warming-up gathering afterward at Robert Christians Restaurant where the participants meet for the braggadocio, beer and the royal crowning ceremony which follows the event. Funds remaining after expenses are paid will be donated to the Dunham Medical Fund.

A Tricky Tray is also planned to benefit Kate (Hageman) Dunham from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 21 at the West End Fire Hall. There will be prizes and food. To make a donation or for additional information, call Christine Kircher at (570)215-4144 or (570) 994-6499 or email cgallager521@yahoo.com.