DECATUR, Ala. – The 2024 New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at noon. The annual event will return to the south side of the Tennessee River to the pier near Ingalls Harbor. The public is invited at no charge.
The Morgan County Rescue Squad will be on hand to assist any jumpers. Participants ages 10 years and younger are required to wear a life jacket. Those older than 10 are encouraged to wear a life jacket for personal safety. Water shoes are also encouraged.
Several years ago, Meals on Wheels volunteer Wayne Holliday started the tradition of jumping into the Tennessee River on New Year’s Day at noon as a way to bring in the new year. The 2023 Polar Bear Plunge had 109 participants, including local media personalities. Each year Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (CAPNA) staff offer T-shirts for sale, with the proceeds donated to the Meals on Wheels & More program of Morgan County. This year’s event is particularly important due to a 40% funding cut to the program’s operational budget.
Meals on Wheels & More serves meals to approximately 300 disabled and homebound residents of Morgan County at no cost to the client. Meals are prepared each weekday and are delivered by volunteers. The Meals on Wheels & More program is funded solely by the United Way of Morgan County and private donations. Donations to the Meals on Wheels & More program may be made by calling Director Cindy Anderson at 256-260-3108 or by mailing the donation to The Partnership’s Central Office location at 1909 Central Parkway SW, Decatur, Alabama, 35601.
Partnership volunteers will be on-site selling event T-shirts at $15 each. All proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels & More of Morgan County program. Hot chocolate will be available free of charge to participants. NeighborWorks America is sponsoring the event. The Morgan County Rescue Squad will be on site in case of an emergency. The public is invited to participate in this long-standing community tradition.
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