The seventh annual Polar Plunge at Lake Snowden leaves participants with warm hearts
By: Arielle Teppert
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ALBANY, Ohio (WOUB) — Over 300 people dived into freezing water this weekend for the seventh annual Polar Plunge at Lake Snowden to support students with disabilities.
Even though inches of ice had to be sawed out of the lake to create an opening, conditions did not stop participants from supporting Athens’ Beacon School.
Brian Johnson, a yearly plunger and founder of the Polar Plunge, said that even though it can be daunting, the feeling it leaves you with makes it worthwhile.
“Heartwarming. That’s the big thing. I think people know that it’s going for a great cause, and what better cause is there than to help a child with disabilities,” said Johnson.
Over the past two years, proceeds have gone toward a sensory room and pool chair lift for students at Beacon.
This year, all funds are going toward new audio and visual equipment for the school gym.
Brittany Stammler, instructor at the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said the plunge was exhilarating because there is so much emotion behind it.
“Because I see what this event does, and what these donations go towards, it means so much to me,” said Stammler.
The add-ons and improvements would not be possible without the funds from the plunge.
Stammler said that even though Beacon is a small school, everyone involved wants to make learning easier for kids with developmental disabilities.
“These funds give our students access to things that will increase their independence and academic skills and overall assimilate into a world that can be really hard to be in,” said Stammler.
She is not the only person who is grateful for the event.
Parents of kids with sensory issues said they hope events and donations like this continue because they’ve seen the improvements positively affect their kids’ education.
Paige Grim, mother of two students at the Beacon School, said she is grateful for the increasing turnout each year.
“I am so happy that people are willing to go through a bit of physical discomfort to not only help my children, but other kids that desperately need it,” said Grim.