The Polar Bears were splashing around Virginia’s cold James River on Saturday, Jan. 28, as Keep Virginia Beautiful produced another successful “Shiver in the River” frigid fundraiser and cleanup event.

More than 500 people participated in the Third Annual “Shiver in the River” Cleanup-Walk/Run-Jump with 535 registering for the event’s 5K Walk/Run over the new T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge. The “Shiver in the River” had an inspiring turnout of nearly 500 volunteers who participated in the morning cleanup along the shoreline of the James River. As impressive, perhaps, was the more than 180 brave souls who took the ultimate winter plunge — the James River Jump — after the cleanup!

The end result? A much cleaner area around the James River — with thousands of pounds of trash and recyclables collected in just one morning.

Through the generous support of sponsors, individual donations, and registration fees, Keep Virginia Beautiful raised $75,000 over the weekend to help bolster the sustainability of its many programs and initiatives for the upcoming year.

Click here for an aerial video of the “Shiver in the River” event!

(Photo above by Dave Parrish. More photos of the “Shiver in the River” at Dave Parrish Photography.)