Special Olympics Manitoba recruited some brave souls to jump into a pool of icy water on Saturday. For the end of January though, the temperatures were in the single plus digits, so don’t feel too bad for them.
The 2016 Polar Plunge “Freezin For A Reason” is an event organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) all across North America in order to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes — 1,600 of them right here in the province.
In 2015, 121 Manitobans took the plunge, raising just over $39,000. More than 100 participants suited up this year, bringing in north of $30,000 in early totals.
Organizer Steven Dreger says this year’s 4th annual plunge was the warmest one on record.
“We’ve plunged in -30°C. It’s amazing today… this is an awesome, awesome event. It’s very comfortable.”
The Polar Plunge will next move to Morden on February 13 (Access Event Centre), and Brandon (Assiniboine Community College North Hill Campus) on February 20.
To make a donation and to learn more, visit SpecialOlympics.mb.ca.
ChrisD.ca video
