Annual Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship Application (Click Here)
Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge Participant Registration Form (Part 1 of 2 – Click Here)
Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge Participant Liability Waiver (Part 2 of 2 – Click Here)
The 2023 Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge will be held on March 18th, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
The Patterson Harbor Polar Plunge was created out of our desire to give back to the community that has given so much to us over the years. As we began to form this wonderful event in late 2011, our intent was to raise funds while we do what we do best at Patterson Harbor Marina and the Beach Bar—have fun and make memories. We never would have imagined that our wonderful community partners would help us raise over $27,000.00 at our 2022 Polar Plunge campaign.
The Polar Plunge is a great fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds raised going to support our benefactors. Initially when we formed this fundraiser, our intent was to pick one local project each year that would improve our community. After the 1st year, due to difficulties in assuring all funds would be used in the year they were raised, our fundraising focus changed. In 2013, we partnered with Alma Public Schools, with all proceeds befitting their newly formed TeamMates Mentoring Program and our newly formed Polar Plunge Post-Secondary Scholarship Program. Following a successful 2013 Polar Plunge campaign, we expanded our fundraising efforts to allow Polar Plunge participants to raise money for a designated TeamMates Mentoring Program of their choice (fundraiser benefactor only) and our annual post secondary scholarship grant program by requesting pledges to support their individual or team Polar Plunge.
These changes resulted in our most successful Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge to date at that time and allowed us extend our support to more than four (4) TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters and we were able to grant three (3) $750.00 post-secondary education scholarships to local students. In the years following 2014, we have significantly increased our fundraising totals, allowing us to expand our support to more than twelve (12) TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters as many as seven (7) post-secondary scholarships granted in a given year. It is our hope to continue to grow this wonderful event, benefiting both the TeamMates Mentoring Program and the Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship (formally the Polar Plunge Post-Secondary Scholarship).
Without the support of our local communities through event sponsorship and plunger pledges, the Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge would not be the success it has become. We thank each and every sponsor and participant for their continued support of our annual Polar Plunge event. Each year we hold the Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge in conjunction with Saint Patrick’s Day weekend festivities where 60 – 100 plungers enjoy the adrenaline rush the cold waters of Harlan County Reservoir provide, as they take their plunge in front of 100’s of spectators in the name of charity. The commitment of our Polar Plunge participants, sponsors and supporters each year, help us raise in excess of $10,000 each year. In 2021, our most successful year to date, we were able to raise over $20,000. Of these funds raised, 100% is distributed to our benefactors in the form of distributions to local TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters (typically 66 – 75% of funds raised) and The Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship (remaining distribution) each year. Each year, it’s our goal to expand our reach through the inclusion of new Polar Plunge participants and sponsors. We welcome any participants or sponsor who are willing to make the Plunge in order to benefit TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters in their area and the Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship.
We thank everyone for their willingness to take “The Plunge” each year for a great cause! Please take time to check out our photos and videos of the fun had by all, at last year’s Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge. If you are interested in taking part in future Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge events as a supporter, sponsor or plunger, please email [email protected] for more information.
Corporate Sponsorship Packages (Click Here)
Polar Plunge Sponsor Registration (Return to the top of this page)
Contributions to each year’s Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge should be brought with you and submitted the day of the event. Registration may be mailed (PO Box below) or emailed ([email protected]) prior to the day of the event. Please allow appropriate time for postal delivery and all registration forms should be delivered in person if not mailed five (5) days prior to the event. You will be secured a t-shirt, if you meet the minimum participation fundraising requirement of $50.00, email a copy of your registration and your t-shirt size by March 1st each year. Any registration forms received after March 1st will have their t-shirt request fulfilled on a first come, first serve basis based on available t-shirt sizes. Each sponsor contribution of $100 committed by March 1st each year will name receive recognition in print on our annual Polar Plunge t-shirt and qualified logos will be included on all signage. All sponsorship, donation checks or participant contribution support checks should be made out to our non-profit at:
HCCF – Polar Plunge
and mailed to:
Patterson Harbor Marin Polar Plunge
PO Box 110
Alma, NE 68920
Please bring all contributions the day of the event and submit them when you check-in at the Beach Bar. Registration begins at noon the day of the Polar Plunge and the call to plunge takes place around 2:45 PM. Corned Beef and Cabbage, along with a whole lot of fun is provided beginning at noon the day of the Polar Plunge and will remain as long as it last. Please remember to denote your TeamMates Mentoring Program Chapter of choice on your check, if you wish to support them directly when submitting a sponsorship or participant contribution. If you are contributing to a specific plunge participant or team, please include their name on your contribution. We welcome general contributions which will be distributed proportionately to the Leon Harder Memorial Scholarship and the various TeamMates Mentoring Program chapters we benefit.
Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 308-799-4600 Ext. 9 and one of our staff representatives will be in touch with you shortly to answer questions you may have or assist you with anything pertaining to this year’s or future Polar Plunge events. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to learn more about our Annual Patterson Harbor Marina Polar Plunge fundraising event.