FEBRUARY 25, 2010 ISSUE
Polar Plunge for Special Olympics February 25
Jump, Sponsor a Plunger or Watch—Everyone Encouraged to Participate
Jumpers brave the icy waters of ASU’s Duck Pond to raise money for Watauga County Special Olympics. This year’s Polar Plunge takes place on Thursday, February 25. Photo submitted
ASU Chief of Police Gunther Doerr and former Boone Chief of Police Bill Post take the plunge in a previous year. Photo submitted
The 12th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Watauga County Special Olympics will take place on Thursday, February 25, at the Duck Pond on ASU’s campus. The event was originally scheduled for this Thursday, February 18, but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Registration for the plunge begins at 3:00 p.m., and the plunge takes place at 4:00 p.m. The requested donation is $25 per person or $20 per person if registering in a group of five or more. Additional donations are always accepted.
The plunge has raised a total of more than $85,000 for Watauga County Special Olympics over the past 11 years. Last year, about 250 hearty souls took the plunge and collected more than $10,000.
Because a new ASU service club started up this school year and members receive credit points for taking the plunge, “we’re hoping for 300 plungers this year,” said Keron Poteat, Watauga County Special Olympics coordinator.
Gift certificates to area restaurants such as Outback Steakhouse, Beef’O’Brady’s and Capone’s will be awarded for the Most Extreme Costume (male and female), as well as for the top fundraising group and individual.
Two year-round Special Olympics coaches who are also ASU students will judge the costumes, Poteat said.
All plungers will receive a Polar Plunge beach towel, handed out by the local Special Olympics athletes.
“They love being a part of it,” Poteat said.
All of the money raised for the Polar Plunge will stay in Watauga County to support the local athletes, providing athletes’ uniforms, transportation, registration costs, equipment, food, medals, hotels for out-of-town trips—“everything involved in running the program,” Poteat said.
The 125 to 150 local athletes compete in 13 of the 19 sports offered by Special Olympics North Carolina, she said.
Poteat said she is very grateful for ASU students’ participation in the Polar Plunge—typically, only about 10 plungers are not ASU students.
“That one day provides our operating budget for the whole year, if we clear over $10,000,” she said.
Earlier this week, ASU professor Roachel Laney and his recreation class held a barbeque fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics, Poteat added.
Spectators are encouraged to attend the Polar Plunge.
“We like having them line the pond,” she said. “Come out and join the festivities.”
The ASU Police Department, Boone Police Department, Blowing Rock Police Department, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department sponsor the event.
Those interested in taking part in the Polar Plunge or sponsoring a plunger should call Poteat at 828-264-9511 or call any of the Watauga County law enforcement agencies sponsoring the event.
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