Make-A-Wish Idaho hoped to raise at least $40,000 this year for their 16th annual Polar Bear Challenge, but by the time hundreds were gathering on the shores of Lucky Peak to jump into the freezing water, they had raised over $48,000.
That number has now grown to over $49,000, according to the Idaho Press, making this Make-A-Wish Idaho’s biggest fundraising year to date for the challenge.
About 350 people showed up to run into Lucky Peak on the first day of 2019, along with another 1,000 spectators. The temperature of Lucky Peak’s water was 48 degrees and about 10 degrees outside that morning, plus a brisk wind.
Make-A-Wish Idaho helps grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. The cost to grant each wish varies per request, but on average each wish costs about $6,500.
