Sun-Gard sponsorship of popular Courage Polar Bear Dip helps raise funds for Africa

In its 27th year, the Courage Polar Bear Dip in Canada attracted over 700 daring dippers, thousands of spectators and raised over $130,000 for World Vision Canada to bring fresh water to communities in Tanzania. Sun-Gard is a proud annual sponsor of Canada’s largest charitable event helping over 6,000 families in the Manonga Water Project.

According to the Polar Bear Dip website, the New Year’s Day event attracts outlandish participants who brave the icy waters to help raise funds for a great cause. “Some show up for the incredible festival atmosphere, some want to try something a little over the edge to ring in the New Year, others just want to get their faces and crazy costumes in the local and national media.”

Angie Leonetti, marketing communications manager for Sun-Gard, is always thrilled to support this event and the Courage Brothers. “As an annual corporate sponsor, we are huge proponents of this entertaining, yet, significant effort to raise money that will help thousands of families in need."

Courage is the exclusive distributor of Sun-Gard Solar Control products in Canada. They have represented Sun-Gard for many years and Sun-Gard is proud of its long-term business partnership with them.

Net proceeds from the Courage Polar Bear Dip have been given to World Vision Canada since
1995. In that time over $940,000 has been raised and has funded water projects around the world. “After visiting Rwanda a few years ago and observing the tremendous need for clean water, and then seeing the difference in communities where donations to World Vision are at work, I am beyond ecstatic,” says Trent Courage. “This isn’t just $130,000, it means the building of borehole wells, improved sanitation facilities, teaching of proper hygiene and sanitation practices and the planting of vegetable and fruit trees that will protect the environment and provide income to maintain the new wells.”

For more information about the annual frigid Courage Polar Bear Dip and their commitment to World Vision, please visit their website at www.polarbeardip.ca. To view more on the chilly merriment, check out their YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages for videos and pictures from the event. This year, the event was also featured on the Ellen DeGeneres website.