Polar Bear Plunge makes splash to raise cash for Special Olympics

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March 1, 2009

By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer The Commonwealth Journal Sun Mar 01, 2009, 12:56 AM EST

A rainy, dreary, cold day doesn’t seem like the kind of day to spend on the lake.

But for nearly 100 people, Saturday was the perfect day to take a quick dip.

The Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics at Lee’s Ford Marina featured 95 people, who raised at least $75 for the cause, jumping off the backs of two houseboats into approximately 40 degree water.

“We try to make it an atmosphere that’s a lot of fun and you’re not thinking about the cold,” said Anna Beth Logan, special events director for Special Olympics of Kentucky.

Some plungers were costumed, some wore little more than a bathing suit, and some decided to keep their shoes and socks on for the dip, but everyone involved help raise a total of $34,315 to go toward the Special Olympics.

“Obviously, they [plungers] had fun doing it, but they’re also giving back,” said Logan.

And while a steady, cold rain soaked the numerous attendees who turned out to watch the plunge, the general mood among everyone was excitement.

Logan said she was pleased with the turnout of participants and observers alike, especially in a time when many people are being forced to cut spending on things such as charities.

“With the economy you never know how you’re going to be effected,” Logan said.

Logan thanked all participants, including several small groups who raised at least $10,000 for the cause.

“There are some teams that raised $10,000 and they only had maybe 15 people,” Logan said.

“The support we get from individuals in the community is phenomenal,” Logan continued. “This would not be possible without some of them.”

The top male fundraiser was Rodney Henry with a total of $3,075 and the top female was Lena Visser with $2,032. The top boy was Jordan Taylor, who raised $320, and the top girl was Tayver Allen, who raised $525. The top fundraising team was the 13-member LakeCumberland.com, who raised $10,404.57. The top fraternity/sorority/school group was the 10-member Oakwood Frozen Eagles, who raised $2,235.82.

In 2008, more than 100 individuals plunged into Lake Cumberland, raising $37,000 for the Special Olympics in the Polar Bear Plunge.

The Lake Cumberland Polar Bear Plunge was the last of five plunges being held this year. Other events were held in Lexington, Newport, Louisville and Owensboro.

Since its inception in 1998, the Polar Bear Plunge program has raised nearly $3 million in Kentucky.

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