The Mermaids from Access II take the plunge: Karla Garner, Brandy Gannan, Chelsea Rector, Heather Swymeler, Nicole Mausser, Jen Grider, Jessica Adkins and Lisa Bowles.
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By Troy Lesan
The 10th Annual Polar Plunge on Feb. 25 at Lake Viking was a splashing success, raising $30,189 to date. A record 100 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into Lake Viking. Their Reason for Freezin’… the over 1200 athletes of the Special Olympics Missouri North Area!
The water temperature was down around 40 degrees but that didn’t discourage the 100 participants. One hundred is the largest number of participants in the history of the Lake Viking event and it came on the 10th year.
Plunge organizer Judy Rash began planning and lining up support several months in advance and was pleased that the event achieved the 100 mark. This year’s Plunge theme was “Plunge like there’s no manana” with food prepared by Sal Hernandez of Mi Mexico of Gallatin.
Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the plunge still hope to raise an additional $2,000 to reach the goal of $32,000. Donations can be made at www.somo.org/plunge.
Top individual fundraisers included the following —1st Place Fundraiser: James Rash, $8,779; 2nd Place Fundraiser: Edward Morris, $4,450; 3rd Place Fundraiser: Greg Crader, $2,400.
Top group fundraisers included the following — 1st Place: Fiesta DAWGS, $8,779; 2nd Place: Forever with Trevor, $860; 3rd Place: Access II, $675.
Top law enforcement fundraisers included the following — 1st Place: Platte County Sheriff, $2,400; 2nd Place: Chillicothe Correctional, $2,325; 3rd Place: Western Missouri Correctional, $1,599.
Top school fundraisers: Trenton High School ($1,136), Chillicothe STUCO ($695).
Competition for the Golden Plunger was steep this year. Participants are encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the “golden plunger.”
Individuals: 1st Place – Rich Smith, Pirate; 2nd Place – Luke Caldwell, Pinata; 3rd Place – Erick Silver, Inflatable Dinosaur.
Group: 1st Place – Forever with Trevor, Pinatas; 2nd Place – Access II, Mermaids; 3rd Place – Fiesta DAWGS.
This year’s event was held in conjunction with Chillicothe Correctional, Crossroads Correctional and Western Missouri Correctional. Presenting sponsors included, Smithfield Hog Production, Barnes Baker and Clark’s Furniture, Dr. Wyckoff, Lake Viking Marine, Mi Mexico, Terry Implement, Woody’s Auto Sales, Comfort Inn, and Earley Tractor
The following were in-kind sponsors: Lake Viking Association, Tim Gilham, Gallatin Publishing Company, Cameron Wal-Mart, Bethany Wal-Mart, Chillicothe Wal-Mart, Bethany Hy-Vee.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit www.somo.org/plunge.
About Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
Special Olympics Missouri is proud of its financial health returning 85% of every dollar back to program services and is privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Charity Navigator 3-star rating and Guidestar Gold Level.
Visit Special Olympics at www.somo.org. Engage on Twitter @somissouri; fb.com/specialolympicsmo.