Medical Lake Polar Plunge fundraising heats up

By JAMES EIK

Staff Reporter

Hundreds of brave souls will take the dive into the frigid waters of Medical Lake Saturday, Feb. 25 as part of Special Olympics Washington's Polar Plunge, which is entering its sixth year.

Special Olympics Washington development manager Jennifer Suniga said 137 participants had preregistered as of last week. That number is close to the 149 who preregistered last year.

This year, event organizers set a goal of $50,000 for donations. Funds raised from the plunge stay in the Spokane area to help support Special Olympics activities and athletes.

As of last week, participants had raised $17,680, with more coming in. Other event sponsors have contributed large sums of money, which don't appear in the online totals.

Online amounts differ from the actual total raised at the moment, Suniga said, due to some funds that aren't raised online. In addition, there is also processing time between the organization's Seattle office and the real total.

The largest of 20 teams registered for the event is the 13-member Cop-Cicles, which has raised $1,615 thus far. Other teams include the Fairchild Rising Six; the Crosspointe Polar Pops, which is a group of Starbucks employees; and a group of 5- to 10-year-old children in Cub-Cicles.

Suniga said the event is hosting a VIP tent for those plungers who help raise more than $250. At the moment, Chad Ragsdale, John Bowers and Mike Suniga are participants who have raised over $1,000 for the event.

Much of the fundraising, however, happens on the day of the plunge.

“That's where the money comes in the most. The day before, the day of and the day after are where we see the greatest increase,” Suniga said. “Individuals can register during the event, they can come and sign up with our staff on-site.”

Weather, she said, plays one of the most important factors in the event's turnout. Conditions last year, where the mercury dipped below -5 degrees Fahrenheit, reduced the number of people who came out to take the plunge.

“Last year it seemed to be too much of a polar experience for our brave supporters,” she said. “It was a true polar plunge for them, but we did see a huge decrease in the amount of plungers that showed up that morning.”

To help offset any foul weather, some heated areas will be provided for participants, as well as some refreshments.

Participants must raise at least $50 to take part in the plunge.

Several contests will be held the day of the event. Some of the awards available include best costume, youngest plunger, oldest plunger and different levels of fundraising. Special Olympics athletes will act as the judges for the contest and pick a winner. Suniga said a face painting booth would also be available for some of the younger participants.

Medical Lake's event is one of six plunges going on throughout the state to benefit Special Olympics.

The plunge is set to take place at noon at Waterfront Park, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. the morning of Feb. 25. Lunch and the awards ceremony will take place at 11 and 11:15 a.m. respectively.

For more information, or to register for the event, visit the Polar Plunge website at medicallakeplunge2012.kintera.org.

James Eik can be reached at [email protected].