News
Students To Take Icy Plunge For Special Olympics
< < Back to students-take-icy-plunge-special-olympicsDuring these cold months everyone is bundled up to stay warm, but this February, students and Athens residents will be plunging into the icy waters of Lake Snowden in support of Ohioans with special needs.
The sixth annual Ohio University Polar Bear plunge is being held on February 9th, to raise funds for Special Olympics Ohio, a non-profit organization supporting children and adults with mental disabilities.
"I know it sounds crazy to jump into a lake in the middle of February, but it's actually really fun and it's for a really good cause," said Cody Pyle, a student coordinator for the Polar Plunge. "All of our proceeds benefit Special Olympics Ohio and it goes to the general operation and support that they give to over 23,000 athletes statewide."
The program was started by alumni of the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity at Ohio University and continues today with the support of the Ohio University Police Department.
This year the event has a circus theme with a matching costume contest and other activities.
"Last year we had just over 200 participants, so this year we are hoping to get somewhere around that number and we raised $27,000 last year and we're hoping to get $30,000, so that's the bar we've set for ourselves," said Pyle.
Aspiring participants for the plunge can register at www.SOOH.org. Each participant is expected to raise $50 individually to contribute to the cause.