Polar Bears to make benefit jump tomorrow
This year, a cold water dip into the Gulf of Mexico is not just for the fun of it.
For nine years, the Fort Myers Beach Polar Bear Club has made New Year’s Day a day of frolic, fun and camaraderie. This Jan. 1, tomorrow, there is a fundraising cause to the 10th annual jump into Gulf waters.
Polar Bear t-shirts and 50/50 raffle tickets will be sold at the Outrigger Beach Resort at 6200 Estero Blvd. to raise funds for long-time OBR Tiki Bar bartender Jimmy Bosley. The patron favorite, who is a member of the local polar bear club, is battling colon cancer.
The annual gathering of the Beach Polar Bears is called for noon, but Club Secretary Ed Herbert said many of the Polar Bears will be arriving to the Tiki Bar out of hibernation about 11 a.m. for choir practice and pre-nourishment. “Rookie Polar Bear” recruits are openly welcomed to participate and become members of this ever-increasing species on Fort Myers Beach.
“This is a day filled with fun, frolic and great camaraderie,” Herbert said. “New friendships are developed each year and many previous beach visitors return just to participate. It has grown year after year, and there was approximately 275 participants and spectators last New Year’s Day.”
This year, the club is not only looking for new members, it is looking for community support.
“Jimmy has been the bartender for most of the local beach members, and we all found out about his condition in August,” said Herbert. “He just started back last week, but is limited to three days a week and only a couple of hours a day. He should be there New Year’s Day.”
Club members are encouraging anyone and everyone to gather at the Outrigger Beach Resort on Thursday. Raffle tickets are currently being sold there. Parking will be available directly across the street from the Outrigger at Charley’s Boat House Grill.
The Beach Polar Bears are scheduled to march down the beachfront at 2 p.m. The local club, which started with original members Doc Malcom, Bill Schmidt and Herbert, will chant their Polar Bear theme song, before taking the annual plunge into the bone-chilling water of the Gulf of Mexico.
Afterwards, all participants and observers are encouraged to return to the Tiki Bar at the Outrigger to warm up until 5 p.m. or later.
Entertainment will be provided by locally renowned “Smoking Bill and Friends,” the official Polar Bear Club band. These compiled musicians play annually for the event and are some of the best talent locally and in the state of Florida, says Herbert. Lots of good music, dancing and celebration of the New Year is expected.
“Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to become part of the Fort Myers Beach Polar Bears,” said Herbert. “Come and make this a family-filled day to celebrate the New Year.”