PITTSBURG, Kan. — Every February for the past 20 years, supporters of Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) brave the cold (or sometimes warm) temperatures and subject their bodies to an ice-cold shock to support the effort and athletes of the Special Olympics.
Pittsburg Police Lieutenant Chris Moore is a fixture poolside each year. Currently serving as the Region 6 Coordinator on the Law Enforcement Torch Run International Executive Council, Moore acts as emcee of the event. Volunteering with SOKS since 2006, Moore said the first event raised just $200 but now hits $30,000-plus each year.
Regardless of temperature or weather (unless there is lightning), the Polar Plunge goes forward. Justin Ziesenis, a Frontenac Fire Department lieutenant and safety swimmer for the event, said he has seen it all, from using chainsaws to cut through three inches of ice to dumping coolers of ice in the pool because it wasn’t cold enough.
This year, the weather was perfect. The forecasted rain held off, and the clouds kept the temps at a comfortable mid-50s. The water, however, was a wee bit chillier.
Plungers also get into the spirit of the event, often dressed in costumes. This year, Haven Support Services won best team costume with a Viking theme, including horned helmets and a styrofoam longship that did not survive impact. The highest fundraising team, with $2,020, was Bobcat of Joplin decked out in Hawaiian shirts. And the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority had the most participants with eight plungers. Ashley Atkinson, a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, was recognized as the highest fundraising individual with more than $1,000 in donations, edging out Moore.
This year, 111 plungers were registered, raising more than $35,000.
“This is more than our goal and we are thrilled with the number of plungers and the amount of funds raised,” said Erin Fletcher, senior director of development for SOKS. “It really makes you proud to be part of such a great community!”
To watch the festivities, click Plunge. To get involved, go to soks.org to volunteer at a local event. It is well worth your time.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews
