A dip in the Strait of Juan de Fuca looks to be another boon for a community resource as organizers prepare for the next Polar Bear Dip, set for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, at Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles.

It’s the sixth consecutive year that the dip, now in its 30th year overall, serves as a fundraiser for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.

The hospice group asks the community to “challenge” one another to raise funds, either via official challenge forms or informal agreements.

The challenger offers a dollar amount for a participant to take the dip, and pays off if the participants makes good. Or, the participant can offer up a donation to avoid taking part in the dip which in past years has seen temperatures around 46 degrees.

Donations are tax-deductible.

Challenge forms can be picked up at the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County office at 540 E. Eighth St., Port Angeles, at vhocc.org or on the hospice facebook site.

Volunteers will be on site at 9 a.m. prior to the event with complimentary warm beverages.

Swain’s General Store is offering T-shirts — proclaiming “I did it!” or “I didn’t do it!” — for $15, with proceeds going to fund hospice services.

Red Lion, an event co-sponsor, is offering a New Year’s Day brunch coupon with 10 percent of proceeds donated to Volunteer Hospice.

The Polar Bear Dip started with just three participants from the Olympic Peninsula Runners Club and now boasts hundreds of participants each year, from ages 4 to 85. One founder, Dan Welden, has participated in each dip.

Next year (2018) marks Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County’s 40th year. The organization has 175 volunteers and 10 nurses serving 120 patients as well as others in a grief support program. All services are provided free of charge.

Call Welden at 360-477-2586 for more information.