For almost three decades, Mo-Ranch has hosted its Polar Bear Plunge charity event on New Year’s Day where participating sliders raise funds for a non-profit by bravely sliding down a 35-foot-high, 116-foot-long water slide, straight into the icy waters of the Guadalupe River.
Mo-Ranch is proud to announce Hill Country Youth Ranch as the 2020 Mo-Ranch Polar Bear Plunge recipient for its 27th anniversary!
Hill Country Youth Ranch provides a safe place for the state’s most traumatized children by offering them home, schooling and continuum care to meet every child’s needs as they heal and grow.
There are over 1,900 alumni of HYCR who live all over the world.
“We chose HCYR to support the West Kerr community as well as we felt like their efforts with children in Child Protective Services aligned with our missional values of offering a safe, welcoming place to children of all different walks of life,” said Breanna Larsen, Marketing and Communications Manager.
Ashley Phillips, development specialist for Hill Country Youth Ranch, said HCYR has a long and rich history with Mo.
“Our executive director, Gary Priour, was married there back in 1986 and his son, Jonah, was christened at the cross in 1988,” she said.
Additionally, Otis Moore, a former pastor at Mo-Ranch is a long-time friend and mentor to Priour, Phillips said.
“We are very excited and honored for this opportunity to bring awareness to the facility and cause,” she said. “We have been looking forward to hearing back and were hoping we were selected.”
Proceeds from the Polar Bear Plunge will go to the Children’s Fund, which provides essential needs like housing, food, clothing and transportation and amenities like holiday celebrations, weekly allowances, birthdays, recreational activities and educational adventures, Phillips said.
To date, over $300,000 has been raised for local non-profits from this event.
Previous Polar Bear Plunge beneficiaries include Partners in Ministry, Christian Women’s Job Corps, Star Ranch, Hill Country CARES, Hill Country College Fund, Christian Assistance Ministry, Kid’s Advocacy Place, Habitat for Humanity, K-Star, BCFS Health and Human Services, Kerr County United Way, The Salvation Army of Kerrville, Kerr County Young Life, Texas Hill Country —Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas and West Kerr County Youth Sports.
On New Year’s Day, awards will be given to individual and team competitors who are the largest fundraisers. Additional awards will include the crowning of the Mo-Ranch Polar Bear King and Queen and event awards for the longest slider, biggest splash, slider farthest from home, oldest polar bear and best costume.
Join Mo-Ranch on Jan. 1, 2020 to join in the chilly fun.
HCYR will have representatives there.
Phillips’ supervisor, Tim Campbell, is planning on joining in the fun.
“He is excited and has been wanting to participate for a long time,” she said. “I’m also conspiring to get Papa Gary to slide down.”
For more information on how to become a slider for the Mo-Ranch Polar Bear Plunge, contact Jenna Carpenter at 1.800.460.4401 ext. 224.
