Ice Bowl and Polar Plunge to Benefit Ashe Really Cares

By Joel Frady

The third annual High Country Ice Bowl disc golf tournament and second annual Polar Plunge on Saturday,

Feb. 21, will offer more than just a day of wintry fun and the opportunity to watch dozens of people jump into the near-freezing waters of the Ashe County Park pond. Ashe County Parks and Recreation has announced that the funds raised at this year's event will benefit Ashe Really Cares, who will use the funds to provide heating assistance for Ashe County residents.

Joe Boccardy, director of Ashe County Parks and Recreation, said that all the funds "go toward a community heating assistance fund, because nobody should freeze in this county."

He noted that there were 52 brave plungers at the 2008 event who raised $10,566 for the Ashe County Humane Society, but he does not expect that many plungers on Feb. 21.

"I'm expecting a lower turnout because of the number of people that jumped last year," he said. "If they jumped last year, they know how cold it is." He noted, however, that there will be many returning plungers, including West Jefferson Mayor Dale Hudler.

Boccardy said that members of the Ashe County Rescue Squad will be in a boat on the pond during the plunge to insure everyone's safety.

Boccardy joked that he will "procrastinate" the moment he jumps back into the pond "as long as I possibly can.

"The second time you do it is probably worse than the first because you know what it feels like," he continued.

The funds raised will be used to provide heating assistance by Ashe Really Cares, a clothing and food pantry that also helps people "when funds are available with heat, electricity and rent," said David Blackburn, director of missions for the Ashe Baptist Association (the organization that oversees Ashe Really Cares).

"We see approximately 250 clients each month by appointment, as well as those with emergencies" such as a house fire, said Blackburn. He noted that Ashe Really Cares already provides heating assistance "with some limited funding."

The Polar Plunge will be held at 3 p.m., but the day's activities will kick off with the Ice Bowl at 10 a.m. For the Bowl, contestants will play all 18 holes of the disc golf course at Ashe County Park - no matter what the weather is like.

Daniel Quin, athletic director for Ashe County Parks and Recreation, said that players "can look forward to playing a world-class disc golf course. They can expect a challenge and a fun time at a beautiful park." The course features very different front and back nines, with the front nine located primarily in the open fields of the park and the back nine venturing into the woods.

If wintry weather does accompany the event, players can expect wind to provide the biggest obstacle on the front nine (in addition to the pond on holes three, six and seven) while trees play the biggest obstacle on the back nine.

The entry fee for the Ice Bowl is $20, but includes an Ice Bowl disc (either an Innova mid-range Roc or an Innova Aviar putter), a mini disc, entry into the ace pool and a hot lunch of pizza and chili.

Quin added that he is "looking forward to people having a good time in Ashe Park and raising money for a good cause."

Anyone interested in participating in either the Ice Bowl or the Polar Plunge can pick up donation pledge sheets at the Ashe County Parks and Recreation office located in front of the gym at Family Central, or by calling (336) 982-6185. The Polar Plunge is restricted to individuals over the age of 18, although anyone over the age of 16 can jump if their parents sign a waiver form.