It’s freezing in the St. Louis area and yet people are jumping into the river as if it’s summer. Well not completely, they run to jump in and then run back to their towels. It’s all for a good cause with the area Polar Plunges taking place for Special Olympics of Missouri.
This past week the Lake St. Louis, O’Fallon, St. Charles County, and Wentzville police departments took dispatching calls from hibernation for all Polar Bears in the 18th Annual Polar Plunge®. The Maryland Heights and Hazelwood police departments will be “plunging” on February 27, 2021.
FOX 2’s Tim Ezell participated and showed it on the morning news.
Brave men and women from around the area will don costumes and swimwear and take “polar” dips into Lake St. Louise. Their Reason for Freezin’ . . . the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri! All proceeds from the event benefit individuals with intellectual disabilities served by Special Olympics Missouri. This year’s goal is 380 Plungers and $90,000.
Organizers across the state hope to break the million-dollar mark this year with 11 events. The Polar Plunge is open to anyone 10 years or older who is a fan of having a good time for a good cause.
The events take place in various locations. The upcoming one will take place at Creve Coeur Lake.
There are several precautions in place to ensure a safe in-person event, to include staggered start times, social distancing, sanitizing stations, and mask requirements.
Staggered start times or Jurassic Waves are assigned to each plunger/team, with the first Wave set to begin at 11 a.m. Event day registrations are welcome and will be added to Jurassic Waves in a way that is safe for all participants. Each participant is required to raise a minimum $75 to participate in the Polar Plunge.
All plunging Polar Bears will receive an official Polar Plunge commemorative shirt. Participants can also receive incentives for reaching fundraising goals: $250 – Polar Plunge towel; $500 – Backpack; $1,000 – Columbia Jacket; $2,000 – $150 Visa gift card. The easiest and most efficient way to register and fundraise is online! Simply go to 2021 Polar Plunge Maryland Heights – Special Olympics Missouri (somo.org), sign up, and email your friends and family to support your Plunge. Paper registration forms are also available at the SOMO St. Louis Area Office.
Mail or deliver pre-registration forms and the minimum $75 contribution to Special Olympics Missouri Plunge – 2945 S. Brentwood Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63144. Prizes will be awarded for costumes and top fundraisers in several categories. Polar Plunge sponsors for include: iHeart Media, BOOST 95.5, Premier Rental, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Missouri, and UMB Bank of St. Louis. For more information about the Polar Plunge, please contact Stacey Koeller, Director of Development at (314) 961-7755 or email at koeller@somo.org.
Prizes will be awarded for costumes and top fundraisers in several categories. Polar Plunge sponsors for Lake St. Louis include: iHeart Media, BOOST 95.5, Lake St. Louis Community Association, Premier Rental, Purpose Wrecker, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Missouri, UMB Bank of St. Louis.
