By BUZZ LAIL
Warsaw Plunge Chair, Special Olympics Indiana

For the first time ever, Warsaw will host a Polar Plunge, benefiting Special Olympics Indiana. Daring souls and warm hearts will prepare for an icy dip at the 2015 Polar Plunge. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, the Plunge will be located at the Center Lake Pavillion, 117 East Canal St. Warsaw. On-site registration, including walk-ups, will open at 10:30 a.m., also at the Center Lake Pavillion.

Beside area residents, a few special guests are excited and ready to ‘Take the Plunge,’ for Special Olympics Indiana. Those include:

• Mayor Joe Thallemer (City of Warsaw)
• Principal Troy Akers (Warsaw High School)

As Special Olympics Indiana’s signature fundraising event, the Polar Plunge invites Hoosier residents to be “Freezin’ for a Reason” by raising funds and awareness for adults and children with intellectual disabilities.

Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, participants will brave the cold water at one of 14 sites throughout the state during the months of January and February, with the largest Plunge culminating at Eagle Creek Reservoir in Indianapolis. Last year, the Polar Plunge season raised more than $580,000 for Special Olympics Indiana.

“This event is one of a kind, as it gives everyone in the community an opportunity to do something fun, for our more than 11,000 Special Olympics athletes,” shared Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Michael Furnish. “Our state’s Polar Plunge has been around for 16 years, and each year it gets better and better. Even if you’re not planning to take the plunge, we encourage you to come out to the Plunge site nearest you and support this state-wide event and cheer on some very brave Plungers!”

In order to plunge, participants must raise a “bear” minimum of $75 or a $50 minimum with a student ID. Awards are given for those who raise the most funds for Special Olympics Indiana. This event also includes prizes for the best costume, incentives for dollars raised and an After Splash Bash. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online for the Polar Plunge at www.soindiana.org.

Plungers are invited to warm up immediately afterward at the After Splash Bash party at Center Lake Pavilion. While complimentary hot food and beverages will be available for Plungers, a $5 fee will be charged for guests to partake in food and beverage.

Polar Plunge events are presented with assistance from Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run® to benefit Special Olympics.

Special Olympics’ largest grassroots fundraising and awareness vehicle, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, features more than 800 participants in Indiana. Members of The Warsaw Police and Fire Departments, Kosciusko County Sheriff Department and Indiana State Police provide Dive Team and Emergency Services for the Warsaw Polar Plunge.