On Saturday, a band of intrepid fundraisers will take the plunge — literally.

The last weekend of January is the traditional time for the “Brrr Creek Plunge” — an event staged by Foothills Outdoors every year to raise money for some northern Moore County charity. The fun will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the N.C. 705 canoe and kayak access.

“The ‘Brrr Creek Plunge’ is a great way to start the new year, and is the easiest event we have,” says the organization’s William McDuffie. “No special skills are needed, and you don’t have to train! Who wouldn’t want to give generously to see you jump in Bear Creek in January?”

This year, the featured charity is Robbins Village Theater Foundation Inc. — a nonprofit organization formed to buy and renovate the old downtown theater.

“Several members of their board of directors will be taking the plunge, and they will be dressed to impress!” McDuffie says.

This year’s Brrr Creek Plunge theme is the “Wizard of Oz.”

“Clarkie Hussey, Tiffanie Garner, Teresa Thomas, Dave Hobbs and River McDuffie will take the plunge dressed as characters,” McDuffie says.

McDuffie himself will be — as he usually is — one of the daring icy creek plungers.

On Friday, the theater itself will be open for an informal movie showing — another fundraiser. This will be a chance to see the place now that temporary partitions have been removed and balcony and under balcony sections are again visible.

The Brrr Creek Plunge itself is just the first of a series of outdoor adventure events sponsored by Foothills Outdoors. “Giving everybody a place to play” is the nonprofit organization’s motto.

“Foothills Outdoors is excited to bring you the Bear Creek Race Series,” McDuffie says. “It is a points championship that will crown a male and female Robbins Area Outdoor Athlete of the Year.”

The series consists of two running events, two paddling events and The Bearathlon, a short biathlon event featuring paddling and running. The Farmers Day 5K, a new event for 2012, will be a road and easy trail run that takes place Thursday evening to kick off the annual Robbins Farmers Day activities. This race will be a fundraiser for the Robbins Fire Department.

“Come take the plunge next Saturday and you will get to start the race series with five bonus points!” McDuffie says. “Entry forms and information will be emailed at least one month prior to each event or can be found at the Foothills Outdoor website (foothillsoutdoors.org).”

All plunge participants are encouraged, but not required, to make at least a $10 donation to Foothills Outdoors to support outdoor recreation in the Robbins area, McDuffie says.

Anyone needing more information about the Brrr Creek Plunge can contact McDuffie by email at wlrmcduffie@gmail.com.

Contact John Chappell at jfchappell@gmail.com.