If jumping into a cold body of freezing water and nearly chilling your caboose off sounds appealing, you may have the chance to dive for a good cause. Three local agencies are sponsoring the city's first Polar Bear Plunge to help support Special Olympics.
The "unbearable" event is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, schools and businesses to support local Special Olympics athletes by jumping, diving or crawling into the sparkling, frigid waters of Mexico.
Since its inception 14 years ago, 8,527 Missourians have taken the plunge in lakes across the state, raising nearly $2 million. Now, Mexico residents will have their chance to be Good Samaritans.
The Mexico Public Safety Department, the 12th Circuit Drug Court Division and Mexico Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the 2009 Polar Bear Plunge on Feb. 21, at Kiwanis Lake in Plunkett Park. Registration begins at noon, and the plunge starts at 2 p.m., rain or shine.
"The department is doing this quite obviously to benefit the Special Olympics, but personally, I'm doing it because I have a son who will be involved in Special Olympics this year," said Lt. John Carter, with the Mexico Public Safety Department. The event he said, "is a great way to give back to the community."
Carter said Mexico Public Safety has set a $10,000 goal, which will include business sponsorships and individual plungers – who must raise $50 to plunge. Proceeds from the event, he said, will support year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 15,000 children and adults with mental disabilities who participate in Special Olympics Missouri.
According to Carter, there are numerous area residents who take part in Special Olympics events yearly. This will be his 8-year-old son, Tyler's, first year.
"They hold Special Olympics events at the Missouri Military Academy quite frequently, but not everyone knows about it," Carter noted. "A lot of the money we raise in the plunge will stay local to help the athletes in our region – and there are a lot of individuals here who are athletes, who have participated and won medals."
Carter plans to take the plunge himself, and has set his personal goal at $1,000.
All plungers must wear shoes and at least a bathing suit. Wet suits are not allowed and heavy clothing is discouraged. A minimum $50 donation is required, and participants must be at least 10 years old to plunge. Costumes are encouraged, Carter said.
"The costumes are something that just kind of happened, it wasn't a planned thing in the beginning. People just started showing up in different outfits, and it has evolved into a part of the contest," he explained. "It definitely adds life to the party."
Carter still has yet to decide what he will wear, but he encourages lots of community involvement, especially from the youth.
"This is something that makes you feel good to get involved," he said. "Plus it helps build character in the younger plungers.
"Yeah, they're going to be cold and wet on the outside, but they'll feel warm and fuzzy on the inside after doing it."
Participants will receive special perks, such as an official Polar Bear sweatshirt, free admission to the Post Plunge Party, eligibility for great prizes – plus if your team wins, "bragging rights for freezing your fur off for a good cause," Carter said.
Prizes will be awarded for the top fundraiser, the top fundraising organization, and the Golden Plunger Award for the most creative costume.
The pre-registration deadline is Feb. 6, and must be met to guarantee participants receive their requested sweatshirt size. After Feb. 13, registration forms can be brought to the event.
Carter said raising money online garners greater results. The average amount raised per person increased by 36 percent last year. "It's as easy as 1-2-3." Simply register at somo.org/plunge. Create your personal fundraising page, "and watch your dough grow."
Donations can also be pledged by relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Ask Carter about the seven-day plan, or get a brochure from Mexico City Hall. Also see the resource section at somo.org/plunge for more fundraising ideas.
The Mexico Public Safety Department has supported the Special Olympics many years. In 2007, MPSD officers took part in the torch run, raising money for Special Olympics. The Polar Bear Plunge is an extension of the Torch Run.
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If jumping into a cold body of freezing water and nearly chilling your caboose off sounds appealing, you may have the chance to dive for a good cause. Three local agencies are sponsoring the city's first Polar Bear Plunge to help support Special Olympics.
The "unbearable" event is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, schools and businesses to support local Special Olympics athletes by jumping, diving or crawling into the sparkling, frigid waters of Mexico.
Since its inception 14 years ago, 8,527 Missourians have taken the plunge in lakes across the state, raising nearly $2 million. Now, Mexico residents will have their chance to be Good Samaritans.
The Mexico Public Safety Department, the 12th Circuit Drug Court Division and Mexico Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the 2009 Polar Bear Plunge on Feb. 21, at Kiwanis Lake in Plunkett Park. Registration begins at noon, and the plunge starts at 2 p.m., rain or shine.
"The department is doing this quite obviously to benefit the Special Olympics, but personally, I'm doing it because I have a son who will be involved in Special Olympics this year," said Lt. John Carter, with the Mexico Public Safety Department. The event he said, "is a great way to give back to the community."
Carter said Mexico Public Safety has set a $10,000 goal, which will include business sponsorships and individual plungers – who must raise $50 to plunge. Proceeds from the event, he said, will support year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than 15,000 children and adults with mental disabilities who participate in Special Olympics Missouri.
According to Carter, there are numerous area residents who take part in Special Olympics events yearly. This will be his 8-year-old son, Tyler's, first year.
"They hold Special Olympics events at the Missouri Military Academy quite frequently, but not everyone knows about it," Carter noted. "A lot of the money we raise in the plunge will stay local to help the athletes in our region – and there are a lot of individuals here who are athletes, who have participated and won medals."
Carter plans to take the plunge himself, and has set his personal goal at $1,000.
All plungers must wear shoes and at least a bathing suit. Wet suits are not allowed and heavy clothing is discouraged. A minimum $50 donation is required, and participants must be at least 10 years old to plunge. Costumes are encouraged, Carter said.
"The costumes are something that just kind of happened, it wasn't a planned thing in the beginning. People just started showing up in different outfits, and it has evolved into a part of the contest," he explained. "It definitely adds life to the party."
Carter still has yet to decide what he will wear, but he encourages lots of community involvement, especially from the youth.
"This is something that makes you feel good to get involved," he said. "Plus it helps build character in the younger plungers.
"Yeah, they're going to be cold and wet on the outside, but they'll feel warm and fuzzy on the inside after doing it."
Participants will receive special perks, such as an official Polar Bear sweatshirt, free admission to the Post Plunge Party, eligibility for great prizes – plus if your team wins, "bragging rights for freezing your fur off for a good cause," Carter said.
Prizes will be awarded for the top fundraiser, the top fundraising organization, and the Golden Plunger Award for the most creative costume.
The pre-registration deadline is Feb. 6, and must be met to guarantee participants receive their requested sweatshirt size. After Feb. 13, registration forms can be brought to the event.
Carter said raising money online garners greater results. The average amount raised per person increased by 36 percent last year. "It's as easy as 1-2-3." Simply register at somo.org/plunge. Create your personal fundraising page, "and watch your dough grow."
Donations can also be pledged by relatives, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Ask Carter about the seven-day plan, or get a brochure from Mexico City Hall. Also see the resource section at somo.org/plunge for more fundraising ideas.
The Mexico Public Safety Department has supported the Special Olympics many years. In 2007, MPSD officers took part in the torch run, raising money for Special Olympics. The Polar Bear Plunge is an extension of the Torch Run.
