Polar Plunge celebrates 25 years
On February 17, Versailles State Park (VSP) hosts the Annual Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics Indiana! This year is the Special Olympic Polar Plunge 25-year anniversary. It is the 17-year anniversary for VSP hosting this special fund-raising event.
The counties of: Ripley, Ohio, and Dearborn (ROD) join together to plunge into the icy waters of the VSP Lake. ROD and other surrounding counties do this to show their support of Special Olympics and their year-round benefits.
Greg Townsend a Special Olympic Volunteer since 1992 is now the ROD Delegation Program Coordinator. Townsend led the way to establish the ROD Delegation in 2005. Townsend was able to plunge until he became too busy at the Plunge as the Event Chair Person.
A lofty goal of $50,000 per event site is set to achieve a record one million dollars nationally with the Polar Plunge event. In 25 years, Special Olympics Polar Plunge, have raised $11 million. ROD Special Olympics are well on their way to meet the $50,000 goal set by Special Olympics, or beat it!
Townsend describes what keeps him involved, “When you see the personal growth that our athletes have, that keeps me involved.” He further describes a past participant in the year-round programs, “We had one athlete that was non-verbal when they started, slowly, they came out of their shell. This athlete now has a voice.”
Townsend describes the year-round benefits for the Special Olympic Athletes: “athletic training (mind, body, and spirit); social skills development; acquire leadership skills; and to build self-esteem though personal triumphs.”
Special Olympics started in the mid-1950’s to the early 1960’s in the back yard of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. According to specialolympics.org (2024) Shriver observed the unfair treatment of those who experience intellectual disabilities and wanted to provide a way for them to feel valued and included.
Townsend describes Special Olympics as “year-round sports training. We provide 21 sports activities, training, and competitions.” Some of the spring sports are: basketball; swimming; track-and-field; power-lifting; volleyball and bowling. After every season is complete a field-trial or competition is held.
The spring-sports state competition “The Summer Games” are in June. The ‘Summer Games’ are held in Terra Haute at Indiana State University. After the ‘Summer Games’ mid-summer sports begin. Some sports in mid-summer are: softball; flag football; equestrian; soccer; and corn toss.
The ROD Special Olympic 2024 Polar Plunge is a veritable plethora of activities and challenges. There is a Run/Walk that starts at 11 a.m. the day of the ROD Polar Plunge. Pre-registration is still available on-line at www.soindiana-rod.org/fun-run. The deadline to receive a t-shirt (for the walk/run) with your pre-registration is past.
When you register on-line for the Polar Plunge, you are prompted to create a fundraising page. On-line registrants can post this to social media to help raise funds. On-line registration is growing, but about half or more register the day of the event.
Participants that raise $99 get a long-sleeved special anniversary designed t-shirt and a souvenir cup. Those who raise $1000 are awarded an anniversary t-shirt and invited into the VIP Lounge! In the VIP Lounge you get treats and special treatment, and a bit more warmth than outside.
On February 17, people are encouraged to show up in costume. You may plunge in costume, but not with a mask. There will be a costume contest prior to the start of the Plunge.
ROD Polar Plunge 2024 initiated a “Cool School” challenge. The “Cool School” challenge is to encourage schools to provide a team.
The overall fund-raising school (winner) will receive the traditional “Polar Plunge Polar Bear” for that school to display for the next year. They must return the ‘Polar Bear’ to the next Polar Plunge.
South Ripley High School has displayed the “Polar Plunge Polar Bear” for the past ten years! So far, the “Cool School” challengers are: SRHS, SR Jr. High School; South Dearborn HS; and Switzerland Co. HS.
There are basket raffles the day of the Polar Plunge. The Lion’s Club will host its Food Booth. There are souvenirs, t-shirts and hoodies available to purchase. Many attractions for those not interested in braving the chilly waters of VSP Lake.
There are many teams already signed up for the icy Plunge. Kieran McKeever (Dillsboro) is one of the Special Olympic Athletes that has already raised $1230! You can meet him in the VIP Lounge!
Molly Schoettmer, SRHS, is participating in the Plunge. Schoettmer has raised $700, and more since the time of reporting. One mystery team registered on-line, “The Chili Champs” has raised $4000!
Athletes from surrounding counties Knights of Columbus and Ripley Co. Lions Clubs called ‘District 28’ are participating.
There are no recorded injuries during the entire 17 years the VSP has hosted the Polar Plunge! This is credited to participants following guidelines; but even more to the participation of the Ripley Co. EMTs and the Dearborn Co. Water Rescue Team. The local fire departments support the Plunge and are available also.
Townsend wants to extend a huge thank you to the supporters and participants that purchase items (hot chocolate, t-shirts, 25-year Anniversary edition hoodies); sandwiches from the Lion’s Club Food Booth; raffle tickets on the basket raffles; and more.
Townsend sends special thanks to the Ripley Co. EMTs, Dearborn Co Water Rescue, local Fire Departments, and all volunteers who make this event happen like a well-oiled machine.
All who come whether to “jump in the lake” or support others who are plunging, are part of the whole that makes this event such a success.
One final tip from a well-seasoned plunger: “I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but less clothes to plunge in is best! When the cold air hits your wet clothes, that is the most uncomfortable part!”
