Polar Plunge returning for a second year
Medicine Hat saw its firstever Polar Plunge happen last year, and it appears to have become a yearly tradition.
Organized by the Medicine Hat Police Service in support of the Special Olympics, last year’s dip raised roughly $15,000 for the cause, and organizer Const. Aaron Brevik says people enjoyed it enough to make it an annual event, and this year’s jump will take place March 10.
“People had a really good time jumping into that cold water,” joked Brevik. “We had a great turnout last year, and we’re hoping to get as many, if not more people out to this year’s Polar Plunge.”
It costs a minimum of $75 to participate in the event, with donation incentives up to $750, which come with different things.
People can sign up as a solo jumper, or as a team, but either way it costs $75 per person.
“The more you give, the more you get back,” said Brevik. “There’s a towel, sunglasses and the top one is a really nice Under Armour jacket. You can get creative with it and get family and friends who may not want to jump in the cold water to chip in. You can also get entered into prize draws if you donate a certain amount. It’s just a great way to kick off things with a cleanse — I guess you could say.”
Though Medicine Hat is not hosting the Special Olympics this year, Brevik says it is a very worthy cause.
“These athletes are just amazing,” he said. “There’s a handful of these that go on around Alberta now, and all the funds that are raised go to Special Olympics Alberta, and they spread it out over the regions. These athletes deserve the support because they put in a lot of time, so it’s great for us to help with things like travel costs or jerseys.”
The event will be taking place across from the Family Leisure Centre in the small pond by the baseball diamonds from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on this year’s plunge go to www.alberta.polarplunge.ca/ medicine-hat