Swimmers may only be in the water for mere minutes Tuesday, but the impact of the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club swim on local non-profits goes on much longer. The swim itself started on a dare more than 30 years ago. Recently, bone broth sales and freewill donations have given valuable funds for Feed and Clothe My People and the Jacksonport Volunteer Fire Department. The Northern Door Cloverleaf 4-H club will also get into the act by hosting a pancake breakfast to benefit Adopt-a-Soldier and a fund to support Sevastopol secretary Paula Symons’ battle against cancer.  Club founder J.R. Jarosh is happy the community is rallying around the event.

Though the main draw of swimming in Lake Michigan does not start until noon, the pancake breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. before the event’s official kickoff at 10:30 a.m. at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport.