BOISE, Idaho — About 250 people jumped into the icy waters of Lucky Peak Reservoir Wednesday morning for the 17th annual Great Polar Bear Challenge.
Some participants water-skied or wakeboarded, while others simply ran into the water before making a quick exit.
The popular New Year's Day event at Spring Shores Marina raises money for Make-A-Wish Idaho and benefits children in the state with critical illnesses.
"That's what a wish does for our families," explained Janie Best, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Idaho. "It gives them that break where they don't have to worry doctor visits or procedures or anything else, they can just focus on the fun and making that child's wish come true."
The event also included a costume contest with prizes.
Wednesday's plunge raised nearly $60,000 - $10,000 more than last year - to help grant around 100 wishes in 2020.
"The most important thing is that the more money we raise today the more wishes that we can provide," Best said.
KTVB's Larry Gebert straps on the water skis for the Polar Bear Challenge every year. This time around he invited participants to join his team, which got donations matched up to $10,000.
Polar Bear Challenge 2020 at Lucky Peak Reservoir
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