The Polar Plunge is a yearly New Year’s Day activity for Phil Campbell and Franklin County – except for this year.

“The water is very murky, and it’s supposed to rain again this afternoon or again before New Year’s,” said Bruce Foreman, who organizes the Bear Creek plunge each year. “I don’t want anybody to get hurt. Usually we can see 3-4 feet deep … There is no telling what has washed up in there.”

So the plunge has been canceled, but the purpose behind it – fundraising for local families – will go on as scheduled.

Foreman said he will be at the Mon Dye Boat Landing on the Upper Bear Creek, the Plunge’s usual spot, taking up funds for three local families whose children are battling cancer – Millie, Cheyann and Travis. It’s an effort, Foreman said, that’s close to his heart: his family dealt with the medical expenses and the extensive travel when his own son was born prematurely, so he has a feeling for the challenges these families are facing.

He encouraged anyone who was planning to participate in the Plunge to still donate to these families in need.

“Anything I do now I try to do for the families of those three,” said Foreman. He said he is hopeful people will donate generously. “We’ve got some good people around here. We’ve got some good giving hearts.”

Foreman will be at the Mon Dye Boat Landing Jan. 1 from 1-3 p.m. to accept donations.