Another year has come and gone, and the Toronto Polar Bear Dip keeps getting bigger and better.  The Toronto Polar Bear Club completed its fourth annual dip into Lake Ontario on New Year’s Day 2009at Sunnyside Beach with a whopping 106 dippers and hundreds of nervous onlookers from all walks of life.  The dip was a great success despite that dippers were greeted with 2 inches of ice covering most of the beach area.  With tremendous support from volunteers and organizers, the ice was smashed and chipped away in time for everyone to jump in.  Special thanks to Jeff “the Sledge” McKee.  As a result of the generosity of many individuals and companies, the Toronto Dip raised almost $11,700, despite a tough economic year for everyone, for a Toronto Habitat for Humanity build.

A number of individuals raised significant donations for the dip with four people raising in excess of $500 and, in return, received fantastic gifts from Irwin Tools and Dewalt Tools.

In addition, the talent of “The Uproars” from Bolton played to the great enjoyment of all at the event.  This terrific band not only donated their time to come down and play for the event but they also jumped in the water in support of the cause.  We hope to have them back again next year.

You can find out more about the Uproars at their website:  http://www.myspace.com/theuproarsmusic

The proceeds from the event go to help Habitat for Humanity Toronto give “a hand up not a hand out” to families in need. Habitat for Humanity Toronto works in partnership with families who are working to escape sub-standard, poverty housing. With the help of generous donors and energetic volunteers, Habitat has built more than 100 homes in Toronto.

In its first four years, the Toronto Polar Bear Dip has raised in excess of $50,000 for Habitat.
Thanks again to all our participants and sponsors and we look forward to seeing you out on New Years Day 2010.