Support Special Olympics

“Freezin’ for a Reason” is the motto of the 2010 Polar Plunge across the United States. These events are held to benefit Special Olympics Winter programs.

Special Olympics is an athletic program that provides year-round sports training for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics are the only games where all participants are winners. These athletes exemplify hope, determination and courage.

The winter sports include basketball, bowling, weightlifting, golf , and in states with available snow and ice—-snowshoe racing, cross country, skiing, alpine skiing, and figure skating.

All events are free and open to the public. Athletes do not pay a registration fee and coaches and volunteers donate their time. To keep this excellent program in every state, communities must find ways to raise much needed funds.

Many states across America are holding winter time Polar Plunges. These are unique opportunities for individuals and groups to support their local Special Olympics by jumping into the local ocean, lakes, or water parks. Most of these plunges take place in January, February, and March, and all plungers declare they are ‘”freezin’ for a reason.”

In Southern California, hundreds of brave men and women—-all ages—will race into the frigid Pacific Ocean where the waters are about 60. Zuma Beach and Oceanside Pier offer Polar Plunge events. The Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park lake is another “freezin’” site.

Northern California challenges interested parties with this taunt, ” Do You Dare to be a Bear?” The plungers signed up must raise a minimum of $100 before they brave the chilly waters of San Francisco Bay.

But, an alternative way for timid souls to participate is to admit they are chicken and register as such. Perhaps that person will be the object of ridicule, but he’ll be dry and cozy in the Chicken Coop with friends of like mind. Remember, it’s all for Special Olympics.

Donations from this site are up to $51, 278.

The California Polar Plunge events will take place on February 27th.

Reports of plunging into frozen lakes come from several regions including Saratoga Springs, Utah.

In 2009, 75 people braved the 30-degree Utah Lake and raised $ 5,000 for Special Olympics.

During the month of February, 2010, police officer Bill Divine and 29 other participants will go for a dip in icy Lake Michigan, which may be the coldest of all the plunge waters.

They will run into the water once an hour for 24 hours. Divine, wearing just his swim trunks, intends to go underwater each hour before he runs out. He is motivated by his little three-year old who has Down Syndrome.

“My son will keep me going,” Divine said..

Last year this event raised $58, 000.

A woman named Nicole blogged about her Minnesota plunge. “Today I jumped into a frozen lake. On purpose. For a good cause. And because I thought it would be a ‘life experience.’ She raised $ 265 for Special Olympics and said it was “pretty rad.”

Thirteen other plunges take place across Minnesota in January through March.

These funds raised all go to help pay for uniforms, equipment and transportation.

The International Special Olympics World Games take place next in 2013. Meanwhile the training continues.

“Let me win–
But if I cannot win,
let me be brave in the attempt.”

Special Olympics Oath

Be brave. Check out www.polarplunge.com