Everybody has their own New Year's traditions, often including things like resolutions, countdowns, champagne toasts and celebration.
So why not add a New Year's Day plunge into the chilly waters of Monroe's Lake Tye? It is, after all, for charity.
Coordinated by Monroe Chiropractor Dr. Nathan Strohm and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the first annual Polar Plunge will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Monroe's Lake Tye Park.
The inaugural event will include food, beverages, bonfires, and a 5k fun run along with an icy dip into the waters of Lake Tye. Registration is $35, and all proceeds will benefit the Sky Valley Food Bank and Seattle Children's Hospital.
Participants wishing to avoid the plunging portion of the event can opt for the $50 registration which will allow them to complete the 5k without the ice bath at the end.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome to participate in the Polar Plunge event.
In addition to hot drinks and a hot lunch, prizes will be awarded for the group with the most participants, best group costumes, best individual costume and best dog costume. Bon fires will be situated in opportune places at Lake Tye Park, and the first 100 to sign up will receive a free t-shirt.
Additionally, plunge participants will have the opportunity to visit Dr. Strohm in his office following the event.
"Anybody who joins, I will actually do a complimentary exam and first adjustment,GÇ¥ said Dr. Strohm. "And with that there's no obligation; they don't have to see me ever again if they don't want to.GÇ¥
Dr. Strohm practiced in Monroe for about five months before purchasing the Monroe Chiropractic and Alternative Medicine Center in 2013. Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, Strohm enjoys the close-knit community feel of Monroe, and hopes to eventually move there with his wife, Grace, and his young son, Liam. They currently live in South Everett.
Strohm went to chiropractic school in Atlanta, Ga., after graduating from the University of Alabama. Prior to that, he served in the United States Navy as an electronics specialist.
The concept of the Polar Plunge was developed by Strohm, who wanted to attempt to incorporate elements of the ice bucket challenge, but wanted to craft a family-oriented event with potential for longevity. He reached out to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, and began to work collaboratively with Executive Director, Una Wirkebau-Hartt. They also reached out to the community for help in determining which charity, in addition to the food bank, the event would benefit.
Finally, they settled on Seattle Children's Hospital.
"Obviously they're not local, but they are local because they take care of our children here,GÇ¥ said Strohm.
They decided that a run would be an ideal way to include both families and individual runners, even four-legged ones.
"It gets families involved,GÇ¥ said Strohm. "I'm not a big runner but I like the idea of it.GÇ¥
Strohm and the chamber are inviting members of the Monroe community to get involved with the event as volunteers, and are hopeful that the Polar Plunge will also serve as a networking opportunity for businesses, both new and established. They've already reached out to the Monroe Fred Meyer store, and hope that more Monroe business owners will either volunteer or help sponsor the event.
It is recommended that Polar Plunge participants come prepared with a towel and a change of clothes. Polar Plunge t-shirts will be on sale during the event for $20. Event organizers hope to make the Polar Plunge an annual Monroe event.
To download the registration form, please visit the Monroe Chamber of Commerce website at: http://choosemonroe.com/place/monroe-2015-polar-plunge-and-fun-run/. To find out how to volunteer at the event, please contact Dr. Nathan Strohm 360-794-4500 or the Monroe Chamber of Commerce at 360-794-5488.
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