{"id":6809,"date":"2012-01-26T09:22:19","date_gmt":"2012-01-26T14:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=6809"},"modified":"2012-01-26T09:22:19","modified_gmt":"2012-01-26T14:22:19","slug":"bva-to-host-5th-annual-polar-plunge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=6809","title":{"rendered":"BVA to host 5th Annual Polar Plunge"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Brandywine Valley Association\u2019s icy winter tradition continues on Feb. 11<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

By P.J. D\u2019Annunzio,<\/strong> Staff Writer, UnionvilleTimes.com<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Despite frigid temperatures, hundreds of local residents braved the icy waters of the Brandywine in 2011 to help raise funds and awareness for the Brandywine Valley Association.<\/p><\/div>\n

POCOPSON \u2014 Attention Polar Bears, this one\u2019s for you.<\/p>\n

Once again, hundreds of folks will dip into the frosty Brandywine Creek to help raise money and awareness about the natural water resources of the Brandywine Valley on Feb. 11.<\/p>\n

The Brandywine Polar Plunge event is hosted by the BVA to support their efforts to protect and conserve the natural resources of the Brandywine Valley. Since 2008, over 750 people have taken the plunge to raise nearly $56,000 to protect and conserve the region\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough our education efforts, BVA teaches residents about the importance of watershed conservation,\u201d BVA Development Director Cynthia Jaros said. \u201cActions such as how we wash our cars or the method of transportation we choose have implications on our drinking water, overall water quality and all living organisms that rely on the Brandywine to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

So why take the plunge?<\/p>\n

\u201cThis fundraiser directly offsets the cost of vital watershed education and conservation programs including Red Streams Blue, BVA’s stream restoration program,\u201d Jaros said. \u201cExamples of projects include the restored site above Strode’s Mill along Route 52 and current work with sect farmers in the Honeybrook area to reduce impact from livestock on streams as well as decrease soil erosion.<\/p>\n

Along with supporting the conservation efforts of the BVA, many others see the plunge as a point of pride. Some compete to see who can raise the most money or win the prize for the most outlandish costume while others simply do it for the rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a SERIOUS adrenaline rush and a lot of fun!\u201d veteran plunger Giselle Cosentino said. \u201cSure your feet will go a little numb but it\u2019s only temporary, and it’s worth it. I also do it for the badge of honor: to be able to say I plunged.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants are encouraged to collect donations from friends, family and co-workers, in exchange for jumping into the icy water in the middle of winter. Team participation is welcome and\u00a0various\u00a0sponsorship levels\u00a0make it possible for any business to participate in the Polar Plunge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, this year\u2019s Polar Plunge offers a new way to warm up after taking the frigid dive:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c2012 Brandywine Plunge sponsor, M\u00e1s Mexicali Cantina of West Chester’s Polar Bear Club will be hosting our post-plunge thaw party,\u201d Jaros said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a veteran penguin or a rookie minnow, the Polar Plunge is a unique way to support a worthwhile cause\u2014and when you\u2019re done shivering\u2014you\u2019re sure to have a smile on your face.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the Plunge, visit: http:\/\/www.brandywinewatershed.org\/2008\/Plunge_2012\/index2.asp<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Brandywine Valley Association\u2019s icy winter tradition continues on Feb. 11 By P.J. D\u2019Annunzio, Staff Writer, UnionvilleTimes.com POCOPSON \u2014 Attention Polar Bears, this one\u2019s for you. Once again, hundreds of folks will dip into the frosty Brandywine Creek to help raise money and awareness about the natural water resources of the Brandywine Valley on Feb. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,7],"tags":[641,851,205],"class_list":["post-6809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-featured","tag-brandywine-creek","tag-bva","tag-polar-plunge"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6809\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}