The family of a man employed in the maintenance department of the Pleasant Valley School District stricken with a rare blood and bone cancer will be among several beneficiaries of a fundraiser held this weekend.

The Kingswood Lake Development will host its fifth annual Polar Plunge benefit from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Kingswood Lake in Kunkletown. The event is rain or shine.

Guests are asked to arrive between 11:30 a.m. and noon. The plunge will start promptly at 12:30 p.m.

Funds from this year’s event will go to the Jamie Moyer family. Moyer has a wife, four kids, two stepchildren and one granddaughter.

In September 2024, Moyer was diagnosed with high-risk aggressive terminal multiple myeloma, a rare blood and bone cancer. Presently he is in first cycle of chemotherapy and will be followed by high dose chemo and stem cell transplant, after which he will be quarantined for 100 days.

There is no known cure for multiple myeloma. The survival rate for the treatment is around five years.

Al Walters, a co-organizer, said that the fundraiser is an event to try to help the family out.

“The family’s gone through a lot; they’re a local family, the gentleman works with one of my sons at Pleasant Valley School District,” Walters said. “If there’s a family in need around here, we try to keep it local; we put them on the agenda to give a donation to.”

Other charities that funds from this year’s event will go toward include:

• Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Company: It covers 26 square miles in Eldred Township with a population of about 3,000 residents, and average about 100 calls per year. Salute to these firemen and first responders, who are all volunteers.

• Tunnel to Towers Foundation: A national organization formed after 9/11 to support first responders and wounded and gold star veteran families and homeless veterans.

Walters said the Polar Plunge began in January 2020 as a dare to enter the community lake in freezing temperatures and cold water.

Since that first brisk dare, he said the event has continued to grow each year.

Last year’s event was their largest to date, with well over 100 spectators and over 40 plungers.

Due to overwhelming community support, people raised a total of $4,427 for their charity event.

Those who wish to plunge are urged to try to sign up 10 sponsors for $10 each, though any contribution is appreciated. Text Walters at 484-547-1128 to sign up as a plunger.

Plungers are asked to bring a change of clothes and a towel, as there will be a change area set up to make sure they will recover after the plunge.

Spectators are asked to bring their cameras and dress warmly. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate in the pavilion and a fire at the pit, while BYOB and some donations have been made of alcoholic beverages.

Organizers would appreciate any donations of soups, chili or snacks for general consumption.

No dogs are allowed on the beach or in the water before and during the plunge. After the plunge, all dogs must be leashed and controlled.

There will be a raffle available at the event to help raise money for charities.