As most of you know, each year Aquatherm Industries participates in the Polar Bear Plunge.  The PBP is a fundraising event for the New Jersey Special Olympics with more than 5000 participants each year “plunging” into the freezing Atlantic Ocean every February.  Last year, Dave announced at the National Dealer Meeting he would offer up ten collectors to anyone who could stay in the water as long as he could.  Ethan Horvitz and Rich Bonte took that challenge and Ethan walked away with ten collectors.  But wait – there’s more…

This year, Dave upped the ante! He offered 20 collectors to any first timer who could brave the water with him on February 25<sup>th</sup>.  At first there was just a little rumbling and poking at each other, but then I got the call.  Out of the blue, just days before the plunge, Matt Mitera from Tenco Solar was calling to get more information.  Now, for those of you who don’t know, Matt lives in Southern California and the Plunge takes place in New Jersey – a 2,500 mile trek.  I told Matt all of the details, but really didn’t think another thing of it… until the morning of the plunge.  I got a text from Dave saying he just heard from Matt and he was just an hour away from meeting them.  Matt had taken a red-eye into Philly and was driving to Seaside Heights to make the event!

The air and water temperatures were both 42 degrees, but there were 40 mph winds and snow showers.  Matt showed up with a towel, wearing his 2012 Dealer Meeting tee-shirt, board shorts and water shoes.  He took the plunge with the group, but could this warm water surfer make it through?  Matt took to the water with Dave and went the distance – amazing!  In the words of Matt, “I thought it over and realized, it’s just one day of your life – I’ll do anything for a day.”  Thank you Matt, for taking this challenge in the spirit of which it was intended.  Oh, and your 20 collectors are on their way – congratulations!

[caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Team Aquatherm with Matt and his new Polar Bear Plunge sweatshirt."]<a href="http://www.aquathermindustries.com/portal/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PolarBearPlunge.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-591" title="PolarBearPlunge" src="http://www.aquathermindustries.com/portal/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/PolarBearPlunge-1024x768.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" /></a>[/caption]

Now for the February numbers.  Congratulations to<strong> Stilwell Solar </strong>for claiming the top spot for February with 385 collectors! Way to go Bill and Scott – what a month! <strong>Mark Naylor Solar Specialists</strong> came in 2<sup>nd</sup> with 273 collectors for the month.  Great job Mark! <strong>Naylor Solar Specialists</strong> finished with 191 collectors installed for the month for 3<sup>rd</sup> place.  A job well done to Terry!

<strong>Mark Naylor</strong> from <strong>Mark Naylor Solar Specialists</strong> is the top salesman in the country with 37 sales for February.  Nice job Mark! <strong>Bill Long</strong> from<strong> Stilwell Solar </strong>is 2<sup>nd</sup> with 34 sales for February – that’s 9 more than the same month last year.  Fabulous job Bill! <strong>Scott Bologna</strong> from <strong>Stilwell Solar</strong> takes the no.  3 spot for the month with 21 sales.  Great job Scott and Bill, combined together with January, Stilwell Solar has a total of 93 sales YTD!  FANTASTIC!!

Aquatherm will be exhibiting at the World Renewable Energy Forum (formerly ASES) in Denver, Colorado in May.  The dates of the show are May 15 - 17 and we will be in booth 1016.  We hope to see some of you there!

Best,

Molly

&nbsp;

&nbsp;