Team GBI, sheriff raise over $22K for Special Olympics

♦ The Polar Plunge event at Lake Acworth raised over $180,000, organizers said.

ACWORTH — In a typical year, Special Olympics Georgia raises about $110,000 during its annual “polar plunge” event at Acworth Beach, according to Events Manager Kaitlin Henderson.

This year? More than $180,000, she said. Of that number Team GBI, which included Floyd County Sheriff Dave Roberson and several others from Rome, raised over $22,000.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., more than 400 people took turns wading, running and, of course, plunging into Lake Acworth’s icy water to raise money for an organization that supports some 26,000 special-needs athletes across the state, paying to organize and staff events and equip teams. Or, as the event’s website put it, “Freezin’ for a reason.”

Mike Taylor, a Rome resident, is a lieutenant with the Acworth Police Department. He and his son Grant, who’s about to graduate from Armuchee

High School, took the icy plunge together.

“We have been doing this for about five years now, ever since the Special Olympics Georgia brought the event to Lake Acworth,” Taylor said. “I have always taught Grant that we need to take every chance possible to do something bigger than ourselves and help others. This

A special proclamation was made by Bishop Norris K. Allen to honor Commissioner Bill Collins, the city’s first Black mayor and a leader in the promotion of Black History observances in Rome.

Rezoning and CARES

Act funds

The commission approved a rezoning request from JFB Development for land on East Third Street and East Eighth Avenue. The land was rezoned for urbanmixed-use development to convert an old parking lot into 18 additional townhomes.

The commission also gave unanimous approval to an annexation request from Commissioner Wendy Davis for a lot at 22 Norwood Street in the Riverside community.

Commissioners approved an amendment to the Community

Development Block Grant program, formally accepting a second CARES Act package in the amount of $255,497. Those funds will be used to create an emergency rental and utility payment program for low/ moderate income residents of the city who have lost income directly related to COVID-19.

Above: Candace Wright, left, and Rossana Romero help each other stretch before jumping into Lake Acworth Saturday morning. Left: Team GBI members from Rome like Ghee Wilson (middle) and Sheriff Dave Roberson (right) participated in the event. Below: Boy Scouts of America Troop 241, of Canton, took an unorthodox approach to the Polar Plunge Saturday, marching slowly into the water.

Photos by Aleks Gilbert