Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge Selected as STS Top 20 Event for March 2014

Lewisburg, WV (August 26, 2013) - The Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge was recently selected by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) as a Top 20 Event for March 2014. This is the first time the event has received this distinction.

The March plunge takes place at Blue Bend Recreational Area in the Monongahela National Forest. Club members convene for their yearly meeting and plunge into the icy waters of Anthony Creek. Plungers collect donations prior to the event, and each year, the club donates 100% of their proceeds to the Children and Youth Advocacy Center of Lewisburg (CYAC). In 2013, the club raised $17,500 and since 2008 has donated $40,000 to the cause. The mission of CYAC is to end child abuse in the Greenbrier Valley. "The outpouring of support from the Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge Club members, volunteers and sponsors helps to put an eventual end to child abuse in Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties," said Ann Weikle, CYAC Executive Director.

Club president, Christian Giggenbach, was thrilled to receive the award, thanking CYAC, the 230 club members, volunteers, sponsors and the U.S. Forest Service for their support. "The award is for all of you, and it's truly a team effort."

The 2014 plunge is scheduled for March 8th. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/greenbrierpolarbear or by emailing greenbrierpolarbear@gmail.com.

The Top 20 Events list began in 1985 as a way to promote the best events in the Southeast. Nominations must be received by STS members, and the event was nominated by the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in July. "By being named to the STS Top 20 Events list, it gives the event a distinction that can be used in their marketing efforts, " said Kara Dense, Executive Director of the Greenbrier County CVB. "Furthermore, it is the only West Virginia event receiving the award for March. We are extremely proud."

The Top 20 Events publication is sent to over 1,600 newspapers, magazines, radio stations, TV stations, AAA publications and others. The combined circulation runs into the millions.

Founded in 1983, Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to the promotion and development of tourism to its 12 member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, hotels, motels, resorts, convention and visitors bureaus, airlines, car rental agencies, newspapers, magazines and other travel-related organizations. Its headquarters are in Atlanta.

About the Greenbrier County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The CVB's mission is to strive each day to positively impact the area's economy by marketing the region as a premier tourist destination. The Greenbrier Valley is the second most visited region in the state with 1.3 million visitors annually and an economic impact of more than $181 million.