OAKVILLE, ON, Jan. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Canada's largest Polar Bear Dip welcomed more than 700 enthusiastic dippers. They braved temperatures hovering at -2 degrees.
Thrill seekers came from across Southern Ontario and plunged into the cold waters of Lake Ontario at Coronation Park in Oakville, Ontario on January 1st 2015. Thousands of spectators were on hand for the celebration.
The wild costumes were back again this year with many dressing up as their favourite superheroes and cheering on the dippers.
This event raised more than $120,000 and all funds go to support clean water projects in Rwanda, allowing a community of over 7,000 people access to clean water by providing them a water pipeline and training on good hygiene practices.
Quotes:
"We literally saved lives today," says Trent Courage. "By throwing ourselves into freezing cold water, we've been able to provide fresh water for a whole community. It's exhilarating and invigorating to think about the impact that the $120,000 we've raised today will have through World Vision. Looking beyond the dollar figure, this means the building of borehole wells, improved sanitation facilities, teaching of proper hygiene and sanitation practices and the planting of vegetable and fruit trees that will protect the environment and provide income to maintain the new wells."
Now in its 30th year, the Courage Polar Bear Dip has raised more than $1.3 million dollars since teaming up with World Vision in 1995.
Media:
Please find videos and pictures attached from the event for broadcast.
Please credit: Courtesy of World Vision Canada.
For more information visit: www.polarbeardip.ca
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca
SOURCE World Vision Canada
Video with caption: "Video: Hundreds ring in 2015 with plunge in Lake Ontario for the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150101_C4836_VIDEO_EN_9900.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150101_C4836_VIDEO_EN_9900.jpg&order=1&jdd=20150101&cnum=C4836
Video with caption: "Video: Hundreds ring in 2015 with plunge in Lake Ontario for the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20150101_C4836_VIDEO_EN_9897.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20150101_C4836_VIDEO_EN_9897.jpg&order=2&jdd=20150101&cnum=C4836
Image with caption: "Hundreds ring in 2015 with plunge in Lake Ontario for the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150101_C4836_PHOTO_EN_9896.jpg
Image with caption: "Hundreds ring in 2015 with plunge in Lake Ontario for the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150101_C4836_PHOTO_EN_9898.jpg
Image with caption: "Hundreds ring in 2015 with plunge in Lake Ontario for the 30th annual Courage Polar Bear Dip (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150101_C4836_PHOTO_EN_9899.jpg
Media Contact: Jermaine Hylton, 647-261-1291, [email protected]
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