Special Olympics Arkansas has launched safety measures and virtual options for the upcoming 2021 Polar Plunge season. In-person attendees will be socially distant with registration enhancements and assigned plunge times. The organization has eliminated all gatherings typically associated with the Polar Plunge while keeping the “Thrill of the Chill.” A list of these changes can be found on the official 2021 Polar Plunge website.
“The safety of our communities is a top priority. We will be taking every precaution to make sure each event across the state is as safe as possible. Whether you put your costume on and take an icy dip in your bathtub or run into the icy waters at Beaver Lake there will be 17,000 athletes across the state counting on you for the chance to reach their personal best in 2021, on and off the field,” a representative said.
The Horseshoe Bend event was originally scheduled for Jan. 9 this upcoming year. but due to safety concerns the committee has moved the plunge date to March 6. The plunge will be held at Boxhound Marina in Horseshoe Bend with registration opening at 10:30 a.m. and plunge at 11 a.m.
According to Special Olympics Arkansas Director of Marketing and Partnerships, Camie Powell, Polar Plunge season is the largest fundraising series for the organization and 2021 is more important than ever.
Special Olympics Arkansas aims to keep creating opportunities in Sports competitions, health, and leadership for people with intellectual disabilities. Through the pandemic, the organization shifted focus from in-person competitions to fitness challenges, curriculum, and family education events that can be completed at home or virtually.
“We are still engaging athletes daily for sport and health. It is really inspiring to see athletes step up to keep each other motivated through this unprecedented off season. For example, Health Messenger, Stephanie Price, has been hosting fitness boot camps on Zoom, posting workout videos on her Health Messenger Facebook page, and encouraging her teammates through health and wellness challenges at their office, Abilities Unlimited in Van Buren. Her boot camps are so popular she has been asked to host them for Special Olympics teams across the United States. Our athletes have not given up on their passion to play sports and we won’t give up on our goals to provide as many opportunities as possible. We urge you to find the Polar Plunge that is perfect for you whether it is in person or virtual and Experience the ‘Thrill of the Chill’ so Special Olympics Arkansas athletes can experience the joy of pure sport year-round,” said Powell.
For more than twenty years communities have come together to #ExperiencetheThrill of the chill to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Arkansas athletes. Polar Plunge season kicks off across the state in January and will end in March. To add more excitement to the upcoming Polar Plunges, Special Olympics Arkansas has added new resources and enriched their prizes. Fundraisers now have a chance to win CASH! Make the decision to Plunge virtually or in person for 2021 and #ExperienceTheThrill of the chill, and you could be the winner of a nice cash prize!
To learn more visit www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/polar-plunge.html.
A little information about Special Olympics Arkansas includes: Special Olympics Arkansas is celebrating its 50th year as an organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the state. Through programming in sports, health, education and community building, Special Olympics Arkansas is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, solving the global injustice, isolation, intolerance and inactivity they face. Special Olympics Arkansas is providing opportunities for more than 15,000 athletes and 5,000 volunteers in all counties across the State of Arkansas. About Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arkansas (LETR) The Mission of the LETR is to raise both dollars and awareness for Special Olympics. Nearly 100 agencies and 1500 officers work year-round in Arkansas to accomplish this goal; they are some of our greatest volunteers. All funds raised go towards supporting Special Olympics Arkansas year-round sports, health and leadership programming. LETR holds special events like Polar Plunges, Boots-N-Badges, Tip A Cop, Golf and Softball tournaments. A major source of funding comes from the sale of Torch Run T-shirts that feature a new design each year. Sponsors and corporate donations help round out these fundraising efforts.
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