Published: February 24, 2012
'The Plunge' at San Francisco Bay to Raise Funds for Special Olympics
Hundreds Pledge to Take 'The Plunge' At San Francisco's Aquatic Park in Support of Special Olympics
Special Olympics athletes, fans and supporters will brave the chilly waters of the San Francisco Bay this Saturday, February 25 to take part in the Special Olympics Polar PlungeŽ.
As part of the annual event, hundreds of costumed participants and teams will come together Saturday morning to take the plunge in San Francisco's Aquatic Park. The fun-filled day - highlighted by a dip in the Bay at noon, followed by a post-plunge party at The Cannery- will help raise the funds necessary to allow Special Olympics to continue to create opportunities for Northern California athletes to participate in regional, national and international athletic competition while promoting acceptance, building bonds of friendship and unity, and creating lifelong memories.
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Registration and donations for the Polar Plunge at Aquatic Park will be accepted on site Saturday, Feb. 25 beginning at 10 am PT. Costumes are encouraged and the most creative individuals and teams will be selected and awarded at costume judging at 11:30 am. The official Polar Plunge will take place at noon followed by a post-plunge party. All participants will be rewarded with official Polar Plunge gear and an invite to the post-plunge party for reaching their fundraising goals (minimum of $125).
The day of events will be emceed by KTVU news reporter and Bay Area native John Sasaki who has been a long time friend and supporter of Special Olympics Northern California. Joining Sasaki in support of the San Francisco event as corporate sponsors of the Polar Plunge are Bubba Gump and SF Metro Transit Authority (SFMTA).
Among those taking the plunge on Saturday will be teams representing the San Francisco Police Department and BART Police and corporate team Allegis Group, who over the past two years has raised more than $65,000. Los Cerros Middle School in Danville, a member of the Special Olympics Schools Partnership Program, has entered a team of Polar Plungers for a third consecutive year. Under the guidance and leadership of Principal Phyllis Roach, Los Cerros has been a champion for disabled youth, raising more than $19,000 for Special Olympics Northern California. The non-disabled students at the school recently hosted a basketball tournament for special education students (Feb. 16) and also have plans to take part in the "Spread the Word to End the Word" campaign on March 7.
The San Francisco Polar Plunge is one of eight Polar Plunge events hosted by Special Olympics Northern California - San Francisco, Fort Bragg, Kelseyville, Ukiah, Weed, North Lake Tahoe, Fresno, South Lake Tahoe. For more information and to register or donate visit www.iPolarPlunge.com.
>About Special Olympics Northern California
Special Olympics Northern California is a free year-round sports training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 14,000 athletes compete in 180 competitions throughout the region in 12 sports. This requires the extraordinary support and time of 13,480 volunteers and volunteer coaches. Programs are free to all eligible athletes. Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations. For more information on Special Olympics Northern California, visit www.SONC.org. About Special Olympics Northern California Schools Partnership Program More than 3,800 K-12 student athletes with intellectual disabilities participate in our Schools Partnership Program. There are also 1,923 non-disabled peers participating as volunteers and supporting their fellow students during competitions and bringing acceptance and respect onto their campus.
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