Polar Plunge 2017 to be held in New Location and New Time

BY MELANIE BUCK –

The 2017 Polar Plunge is set for February 25^th and they are now accepting registration for the frigid event. The Polar Plunge is held each year to raise money for Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR). Their mission is to provide year-round sports training and Olympic-type competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Arkansas.

Currently, more than 15,000 athletes participate in training and compete in a year-round program of 20 different sports. Athletes in Arkansas train and compete in aquatics, track and field, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, powerlifting, and other sports at the local, regional, state and international levels. “While our competition events are often in public view, it is our training program that forms the foundation of all that we do. Through the strong network of volunteer coaches, Special Olympics athletes spend countless hours preparing for the opportunity to compete for the gold, silver, or bronze medals. In a sense, our athletes are training for life itself. Training becomes an important stepping stone into communities throughout Arkansas for our athletes and their families,” said SOAR in a statement. “Our goal is to bring people with intellectual disabilities into the mainstream of society in Arkansas under conditions where they are accepted, respected, and given the opportunity to become positive citizens. Special Olympics is more than medals or winning. We celebrate that our athletes are at the center of our work and the heart of our movement.”

The Polar Plunge has been raising money for Special Olympics Arkansas for several years providing much needed funds for training, and you can help by supporting the event. The Plunge will take place this year at Janssen Park. A special pool will be set up to take ‘the plunge.’ To register, contact Special Olympics Area 14 Director, Elizabeth Thompkins at 870-784-3822.

Or go online to www.firstgiving.com/SOAR

Not only is the location new, times are also different this year, with registration at 9:30 and the plunge at 10 a.m. on February 25^th.

If you are “Too Chicken to Plunge,” you can purchase an official “I Chickened Out” t-shirt for a $25 donation.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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