Make-A-Wish^® Idaho

Boise, ID: Make-A-Wish® Idaho is hosting the 22^nd annual Gebert Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge on Jan 11 at Spring Shores Marina at 11 a.m. with day-of registration beginning at 10 a.m. The Gebert Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge, presented this year by Corwin Ford, is a unique winter fundraiser where participants plunge into the icy water to help grant life-affirming wishes to Idaho children who have been diagnosed with critical illnesses.

Individuals or teams of participants raise pledge money by promising to dive into the freezing water in support of wishes. There is no minimum donation required to plunge. Participants are encouraged to donate an amount that is personally meaningful to them. However, donors who give more than $100 will receive a Polar Bear Challenge t-shirt. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward Idaho wishes.  The event is estimated to draw over 150 participants and Make-A-Wish Idaho’s fundraising goal for the 2025 event is $100,000. To sign up online, visit Idaho.wish.org.

“We are inviting the Treasure Valley community to come out and support our efforts.  If we reach out goal, we’ll have raised enough to grant 10% of the year’s wishes which is a good boast for early January.  The Polar Bear Challenge is a lot of fun, too. Granted, it can be a little daunting, but cold-plunging is more popular than ever, so we challenge anyone who is interested to come try it,” said Andrea Sanders, Chief Development Officer for Make-A-Wish Idaho.

The event will also feature a costume contest emceed by Kevn Miller of KIDO Talk Radio and Mateo from Kiss FM. Christian a former wish kid, now an adult, will share the story of his shopping spree wish and his battle with cancer. Warming tents, coffee, and donuts are available for all participants.