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Aiming for f a cool l million ll Continued from page 1 3 · Wednesday, December 14, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com Year's Eve cobwebs." "Or hangover," Trent added. The past 16 years of the event, the Courage brothers have teamed up with World Vision Canada. Participants collect donations and, to date, the event has raised $810,000 for the organization. "It started off as a silly, fun thing for us and our friends to do and it evolved. It keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. Now that we have a charity involved it gives it a bigger purpose," Todd said. The brothers expect the dip to reach a total of just under $1 million for World Vision. The past five or six years, the dip has been hitting about $100,000 per year of fundraising and this year should be no different. There are several reasons for the growth, GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER they said. First, the dip has become more orgaREADY TO DIP: Trent Courage, left, and his brother Todd, prepare for the next edition of their now nized. The dip also has sponsors and more parfamous Polar Bear Dip at Coronation Park on Jan. 1. ticipants each year. Last year, there were approximately 800 dippers. "We made a trip to Rwanda about two years ago, Todd, myself and our mother. That brought Full Delivery: Real Estate, Sport Chek, Lemon Leaf, Athletic Locker, Allstate Insurance a lot of legitimacy to it," Trent said. "The trip got Company, JYSK, Rona, Shopping News a lot of good media. Having gone and seen the Partial Delivery: money in action, lent itself to some real credibilGolf Town, National Sports, Peoples Jewellers, Personal Edge, Staples, ity." Opinion............................................6 Henry's Camera, Valassis, XS Cargo, Interval Magazine Their mother, Gaye Courage, was actually Wheels...........................................20 For home delivery & customer service the person who encouraged her sons to do Artscene.........................................24 call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. something productive on New Year's Day all Sports.............................................26 (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS call (905) 8459742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com those years ago. As the brothers have grown, so Classified........................................29 Inside d has the event. "We have families now and it's a family event," Trent said. "There are a number of families that go. It's not just a bunch of crazy, early20s guys anymore. It's a whole bunch of families. It's a community event that's grown." It draws people from Oakville, across the GTA and even farther afield. The number of spectators depends on the weather that day. Last year was poor weather and a smaller crowd showed up, despite the dip having the largest number of spectators. When the dip began, it was the only one in the area. Now, there are similar fundraisers elsewhere, with one in Toronto as well. "We're the founders of this type of event in southern Ontario," Trent said. "From our charitable event, other charitable events have started. We wish all of them well, but our focus is to always make our event bigger and grander." Aside from the dip (running in and out of frigid Lake Ontario waters), there are other activities. There will be live music and a costume contest. Past years have also seen some celebrities, such as comedian Colin Mochrie, musician Tom Cochrane and Rick Mercer, who was actually filmed going into the water for a segment on The Rick Mercer Report. Safety is always a big concern. Dippers go in waves, of about 200 at a time, with no more than two rows going in. The next wave does not jump in until the first is out. There are emergency See Post page 8 ALL DOMINION DRIVER TRAINING AND TRAFFIC EDUCATION CENTRES LIMITED NOW TO TRAIN DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY TRAINING TO OAKVILLE FOR OVER 25 YEARS... Merry Christmas WE WANT YOU! December 27,28,29,30 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30am to 3:30 p.m. January 3,4,5,6 (limited to 10 seats) Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. DriveWise goes beyond basic driver training with our 3 step approach: 1. & fun classroom teaching with hand held technology 2. Simulator drive training labs. 3. One-or-One in vehicle training Helping You Make Smart Decisions About Your Money get registered. get trained. get driving. 905.845.7200 www.drivewiseoakville.com Peter Watson Richard Benn Danielle Lavigne Anita Provaznik 220 Randall Street · Downtown Oakville Phone: 905.842.2100