Raising money for the Special Olympics

What is a polar plunge? Each year a group of hearty, strong-willed individuals, including Legion, Sons of The American Legion and Auxiliary members, jump into ice cold water to earn money for Special Olympics. The weather and the water temperature makes the plunge a challenge. In one location, they had to cut through six inches of ice to get to the water for the plungers to jump in. This is an activity that is done all across the country in effort to raise funds for the Special Olympics.

The Maryland Special Olympics Polar Plunge was scheduled for Jan. 25 but the date moved to March 8 because of weather. The event had 8000 registered plungers who raised more than $2.25 million.

The Kansas Special Olympics Polar Plunge had several dates and plunge sites. Kansas Detachment Commander Doug Evans participated at the Emporia, Kan., plunge February 14 at Mouse Lake. The weather was a balmy 40 degrees. This was Doug’s fourth plunge, raising a total of $2,275. There were 280 plungers who raised $24,000.

Virginia Special Olympics Polar Plunge was Feb. 8 in Virginia Beach, Va. There were 3,522 registered plungers that dove into the Chesapeake Bay. The event raised more than $1.1 million. This makes four years in a row that more than $1 million has been raised.

My Detachment Commander Doug Ferrell witnessed me going in the water. In the picture is the coaches for area 16 Colonial Heights and Tri-city area.

Tennessee had its Polar Plunge Feb. 8 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tenn. The event raised more than $5,558.

When you make a donation to the Special Olympics in your state, put the area you are sponsoring on the check because your local group will receive 75 perent of the money donated for local activities. If you donate the money straight to your local group, they will receive all the monies.