Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

Sixth annual Polar Plunge to be held Saturday

Miranda Wycoff, Journal Staff

On Saturday hundreds of willing participants will be jumping in Longview Lake for a good cause.

The sixth annual Polar Plunge, will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri.

All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit training and competition for more than 2,100 Special Olympics Missouri athletes in the Kansas City metro area.

The event is hosted by the Belton, Kansas City and Lee’s Summit police departments and will take place at the beach at Longview Lake, 11110 Raytown Rd.

Gates open for registration at 9 a.m. and the Plunge begins at noon.

Participants must raise a minimum of $75 to plunge and but are encouraged to raise more.

Last year plungers raised more than $182,000 collectively. The highest individual amount raised was about $6,000 from Lee’s Summit police officer and Super Plunger Brian Wilson. As a Super Plunger Wilson was required to raise $5,000 to plunge 24 times in 24 hours. Wilson is doing the Super Plunge again this year, with a goal of more than $7,000.

“It’s a wonderful cause,” Wilson said. “I’m proud to be the only police officer doing the Super Plunge this year. I think its an honor.”

The top team fundraiser was Raymore Peculiar High School with $16,380.

Plungers are encouraged to wear costumes and to compete for the Golden Plunger, although no wetsuits are allowed and shoes are required.

The team of Super Plungers, including Wilson, began the second annual Super Plunge Friday at noon and will run continuously through Saturday morning.

Event sponsors include All Seasons Tent Rental, Bledsoe Rentals, Code 3, INK, KCPD Credit Union, Lee Jeans and Swim Things. Other participating Law Enforcement agencies include Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Grain Valley Police Department, Independence Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Pleasant Hill Police Department.

For more information about the Polar Plunge, please contact Jeremie Ballinger at 913-789-0332 or ballinger@somo.org, or go online at www.somo.org/plungekc.