HER Sports

2019 Hot Spring Polar Plunge

As temperatures drop, donations for Special Olympics Arkansas rise, thanks to the annual Polar Plunge.

For the past 12 years, participants have charged head-on into chilly waters to raise funds to benefit Arkansas athletes who participate in the Special Olympics.

Since, 1974, Special Olympics Arkansas has provided year-round sports training and Olympic-type competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Arkansas. Currently, more than 15,000 athletes participate in training and compete in a year-round program of 20 different sports. Athletes in Arkansas train and compete in aquatics, track and field, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, powerlifting, and other sports at the local, regional, state and international levels.

The Hot Springs Polar Plunge helps accomplish this goal so that no athlete pays fees for training or competing. Special Olympics Arkansas was the first organization to have a Polar Plunge fundraiser in the state, and all funds raised stay in state to be used by athletes specifically in Arkansas.

To take the plunge to help these athletes, prospective polar bears must be 12 years old or older and pay a registration fee of $50 (which can be a donation from the plunger or, as is common, donations from sponsors). This grants the opportunity to plunge and a long sleeve 2019 Hot Springs Polar Plunge T-shirt. Donations above the $50 minimum are always welcome.

While there are some hardy souls who try to go it alone, taking the plunge as a team is encouraged. To heighten the competition, it is not uncommon for businesses, clubs and other organizations to challenge each other to see which group can raise the most funds.

Awards will be presented to the individual and team who raise the most money. There are additional prizes, as well. Those who raise a total of $250 in donations will receive an official plunge T-shirt and beach towel; $500 in donations will receive a plunge T-shirt, beach towel, and backpack; and $1,000 or more in donations will receive a T-shirt, towel, backpack, and a roadside assistance kit.

Many teams and individuals choose to wear costumes so they

can be in the running for the costume contest prize. “Each team comes up with their own theme, and it’s usually secretive. They don’t want anyone else to know what their theme is going to be,” said Special Olympics Arkansas Field Representative Paula Calhoun.

Davis participated as an individual in the fundraiser last year, which inspired him to head up this year’s Polar Plunge. As his first year as the event coordinator, he hopes to exceed last year’s statistics of 50 participants and around $7,000 in donations.

Davis shared that the fundraiser only requires 20 or so people to run it, which makes it extremely effective as far as cost, time, and manpower.

“We have a lot of veteran volunteers, and they all know what to do. So they just show up and it all happens,” said Calhoun. Davis agreed, “It runs pretty smoothly.”

Participants need not worry that the water will be too cold. While the pool is indeed outside, it is also heated. Additionally, heated locker rooms, towels, hot tubs, and Jacuzzis are directly adjacent to the pool and will be available for participants’ use immediately after exiting the pool.

While registration the day of the event is allowed, online preregistration at http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org under the Polar Plunge tab is requested.

Fundraising pages can also be made to share on social media to raise money via the First Giving link on the website. If raising funds this way, a printed copy of the donation page is required.

Regardless of plunge status, donations can be made to Special Olympics Arkansas at the previously mentioned websites. Those who donate this way can receive an “I Chickened Out” T-shirt for a contribution of $25.

Calhoun has one herself, and says, “I wear it very proudly.”

Other Polar Plunge locations around the state include Mountain View, Jonesboro, Paragould, Batesville, Fort Smith, Russellville, Blytheville, Cabot, Centerpoint, Greenbrier, Beaver Lake, Paris, Wynne, Mountain Home, Searcy, Lake Norfork, Monticello, and Horseshoe Bend, with times and dates varying. “There are so many times and locations that everyone can find one that is convenient for them,” said Calhoun.

According to the Special Olympics Arkansas credo, “Special Olympics is more than medals or winning. We celebrate that our athletes are at the center of our work and the heart of our movement.” As Davis stated about taking the plunge: “It’s a great cause, a great community event, and it’s fun.”

This year, the Polar Plunge will be held on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 11 a.m. For more information about the plunge and registration, visit http://www.specialolympicsarkansas.org/polar-plunge.html