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Organizers Aim to Set Record at Eighth Annual Charity Event

How many truly brave people are there living in and around Louisville? Beth Higdon, Special Events Director for Special Olympics Kentucky, hopes there are at least 1,000 as the  organization has set an ambitious goal for its 8th Annual Polar Bear Plunge scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 11 am on Waterfront Wharf near Joe’s Crab Shack. The goal is a 25-percent increase over last year, when a record 800 Polar Bear Plunge participants raised a record $170,000.

“The Polar Bear Plunge has so much to offer participants,” Higdon said. “We have a fun atmosphere, with a parade of costumes, a huge crowd that turns out every year and great food and fun inside Joe’s Crab Shack all day long. Plus the Polar Bear Plunge gives people who participate a chance to really show their crazy side while doing something important to help people with intellectual disabilities. On top of that, there’s a chance one of the Polar Bears will win a Carnival cruise and warm up in the Caribbean.”

Participants raise a minimum $50 to earn the opportunity to take an exhilarating dip in the Ohio River. Everyone who participates receives an official Polar Bear Plunge T-shirt, but those raising more money can earn additional prizes and that’s where the cruise comes in. Any Polar Bear who raises a minimum of $300 will receive a warm robe or polar fleece vest and be entered into a drawing for the trip, provided by AAA Kentucky. The winner will be drawn on March 1 from all qualifiers from the six Polar Bear Plunge events Special Olympics Kentucky holds during January and February. The event’s top male and female fundraisers are crowned King and Queen of the Plunge during Opening Ceremonies and receive a prize package. Last year’s King was Deputy Brian Bray of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office who raised $6,139.30. The Queen was Christina Bongo of the Harrods Creek Boat Owner’s Association team, who raised $1,375.

To join in the fun, participants can sign-up on-line at www.soky.org, call 326-5002 to request information or grab a brochure at Joe’s Crab Shack. Polar Bears can bring their donations and register the morning of the event beginning at 9 a.m. or avoid lines on Plunge Day and take part in the pre-registration on Thursday, February 23 from 3-8 p.m. at the Special Olympics Kentucky Louisville office at 1230 Liberty Bank Lane, Suite 140.

The 2006 Polar Cup will be awarded to the largest university or school group, largest law enforcement group and the largest corporate or civic group. The oldest polar bear and the plunger with the best costume will also be awarded at the event.

All money raised at the Polar Bear Plunge provides sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Kentucky.

“Special Olympics means so much to the athletes who participate in our program and to their families,” Higdon said. “In our program, the athletes find a caring, accepting atmosphere where their abilities and accomplishments are celebrated. They make friends and find support and every day we see their confidence grow. Participating in the Polar Bear Plunge is one way for the community to support these athletes and help the program be able to expand to reach and serve even more athletes.”

Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. Participation is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in 17 sports. More than 5,000 athletes compete in Special Olympics Kentucky programs each year.

The Eighth Annual Louisville Polar Bear Plunge is sponsored by Joe’s Crab Shack, NEXTEL, WHAS 11, 102.3 The Max, New Rock 105.1 WLRS, 99.7 DJX, Louisville Waterfront Development, louisvillemojo.com, Louisville.com, The Kentucky Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, CBS Outdoor, Walnut Ridge Pool & Patio and AAA Kentucky.

Special Olympics Kentucky held six Polar Bear Plunge events this year, including Plunges in Lake Cumberland, Lexington, Newport, Owensboro and Paducah. Since 1999, the Polar Bear Plunge program has raised nearly $1,500,000 for Special Olympics Kentucky programs.