| Freezin’ for a Reason: Volunteers taking plunge for Special Olympics | | Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2013 9:13 pm
| By CHRIS MENEES
Staff Reporter
A cool event to benefit Special Olympics is re-turning to Union City.
The second annual Polar Plunge is set for Feb. 9 at noon at Aloha Pools & Spas.
The Polar Plunge — promoted as “Freezin’ for a Reason” — is an unusually brrr-isk way for some brrr-ave souls to raise money for Tennessee Special Olym-pics.
Organizers are asking participants to grab some friends and join other plungers in supporting the cause by jumping into the chilly waters of a swimming pool at Aloha, located at 1400 West Reelfoot Ave., the second Saturday in February.
Plungers may take the plunge in anything except a wet suit. Costumes are strongly encouraged and awards will be presented.
Last year’s inaugural event at Aloha Pools & Spas included individual plungers, pairs, trios and even teams comprised of several plungers. Several of them donned costumes — ranging from whimsical old-time bathing suits and long johns to comical hula dancer and pirate garb — for their quick dips.
With a minimum of $50 in donations for the Special Olympics, each plunger will receive an official long-sleeved Polar Plunge T-shirt, lunch and all bragging rights associated with the chilly endeavor.
Anyone interested in participating may register at the website www.specialolympicstn.org/polarplunge. After clicking on the Union City Polar Plunge, those interested may complete registration online or mail the form to Special Olympics Ten-nessee by following the instructions.
Once registered, par-ticipants may begin collecting donations to support their plunge. They can use the donation form provided online or they can create their own personal online fundraising page by following the steps on the website. All collected donations should be brought to the event, and online fundraising totals will be available at registration, according to organizers.
Donors may also support registered plungers by visiting the website and clicking on fundraising pages that have been established.
All plungers must sign a waiver of release and plungers younger than 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian signature.
In addition to this year’s event in Union City, other Polar Plunges to support Special Olympics are planned in Jackson, Memphis, Clarksville, Nashville, Lebanon, Chattanooga and Knoxville during January and February.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by email at cmenees@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 1.3.13 | | | | |
