More than 500 people jumped into icy Clear Lake Sunday afternoon as part of the community’s 14th annual Polar Bear Club Plunge to raise money for two north-central Iowa charities.

Patrick Kline drove all the way up from Waterloo to be part of the plunge experience.

Kline says it was his first-time ever making the jump which he did to keep a promise to his kids. He says it was colder than he thought it would be, but he had a good time. Emily Peterson of Rockwell also participated in the jump for the first time.

Peterson says, “It was better than I thought, but still kind of horrible — it’s so cold!” Over $21,000 was raised for Toys for Tots and Make-A-Wish as part of the event.

 

See video of the event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5k17tmb7WQ&feature=channel_video_title>

By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City