YMCA of Reading & Berks County will hold its 18th annual St. Patty’s March Madness Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Blue Marsh Lake at the Dry Brooks Day-Use Area in Bernville. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the plunge starts at 11 a.m. An after-party and an awards ceremony for door prizes, crazy costumes, and top fundraisers will immediately follow the plunge.
“Whether you’re dipping a toe in the lake or doing a deep dive, our Polar Plunge event is a fun and entertaining way of chilling with friends, families, and neighbors who rally together to support Berks County youth. March Madness Polar Plunge makes it possible to give children foundational tools and experiences that help them grow academically, physically, mentally, and spiritually,” said President and CEO Phillip Borup, YMCA of Reading & Berks County.
All proceeds from Marsh Madness benefit the Y’s Open Doors Scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to children and families based on need and circumstance, regardless of their ability to pay. It gives families access and resources to afford memberships and programs, including youth sports, childcare, summer day camp, and swim lessons.
- Sign up to take the plunge: To participate, individuals and/or teams can pre-register at www.ymcarbc.org/marsh-madness or by contacting [email protected]. Then, they can begin collecting pledges from their families, friends, and supporters. The Y’s Marsh Madness Facebook page can help spread the word virtually and encourage support with videos, pictures, and posts.
- Become a sponsor: Multiple sponsorship levels are available for businesses to make a local difference, have team building, and gain visibility. For other non-profits (including school groups, families, sports clubs, etc.), the Y offers a 50/50 sponsorship that allows them to split funds raised with the Y for a win-win.
“Everyone in the community is welcome to plunge or to enjoy an entertaining morning and cheer on the brave plungers,” said Borup.
Last year’s event raised more than $55,000 for the Open Doors Scholarship, contributing to more than 1,300 individuals with financial assistance, including children who were able to attend summer day camp, participate in values-based youth sports programs, and have a safe place to go after school.
For 165 years, the YMCA of Reading & Berks County has been a cornerstone in the community, putting Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Driven by its founding mission, the Y is a nonprofit committed to strengthening the community and empowering individuals by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment, and demonstrate the importance of connections among 2,700 Ys in 10,000 communities across the United States. The YMCA of Reading & Berks County operates branches in Adamstown, Mifflin, Reading, Sinking Spring, and Tri-Valley.
