Boise, ID: Make-A-Wish® Idaho will hold the 21st annual Gebert-Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge on Jan. 6. The event will be held at Spring Shores Marina at 11 a.m. with registration beginning at 10 a.m. The annual Gebert-Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge asks hundreds of stalwart Idahoans to plunge into arctic-cold water to raise money to grant wishes to local children with critical illnesses. 

Make-A-Wish Idaho’s fundraising goal for the 2024 event is $66,000. Individuals or teams of participants raise pledge money by promising to dive into the chilly water in support of wishes. Those who would prefer to stay dry, warm, and/or at home can support wishes by donating pledge money to a team or directly to Make-A-Wish Idaho. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward wishes.

“We are granting more wishes than we’ve ever granted in our thirty-eight-year history,” said Director of Development Helene Peterson. “Whether you love it, hate it or are indifferent to it, Idaho has grown a lot in the past few years and so has the need for wishes. Support from participants of the Polar Bear Challenge will help us grant wishes when these children need them the most. Wishes provide such a positive emotional boost to kids fighting cancer, leukemia or other serious illnesses.”

Last year, Make-A-Wish Idaho granted 127 life-affirming wishes, a new record for the chapter, and this year, the organization has designs to grant even more. Learn more about Make-A-Wish Idaho, its mission, and the Gebert-Arbaugh Polar Bear Challenge at Idaho.wish.org or sign up at http://site.wish.org/polarbear2024.