Although tomorrow's temperature may peak in the low 40s, local supporters of the Special Olympics Ohio will brave the cold and jump into Dow Lake at Strouds Run State Park.
Ohio University's second annual Polar Bear Plunge, hosted by the OU chapter of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and the OU Police Department, is one of eight similar events taking place in Ohio this winter.
Participants have to collect at least $50 in pledges to donate to Special Olympics Ohio, said Jeff Madachy, a senior studying biological science and the philanthropy chairman for Phi Kappa Theta.
Last year about 60 people took the plunge and raised more than $8,000, Madachy said. So far, about 140 people already had registered online and raised about $8,328 for tomorrow's event.
(The plunge) kind of caters to college people because it's something crazy to do
he said. I jumped in three times (last year).
OUPD has participated in Special Olympics benefits, such as the law enforcement Torch Run, before, so officers were interested in collaborating with Phi Kappa Theta to plan the plunge, said Cathy Hart, communications officer for OUPD. A team of five OUPD personnel will take the plunge tomorrow, she said.
Special Olympics is not publicly funded. ... It's all done by donations Hart said. It's really important that groups like law enforcement step up to make sure that Special Olympics are funded and that the athletes do have a chance to participate.
Madachy said he decided to organize a Polar Bear Plunge at OU because he has been participating in the Torch Run with his father, who worked in law enforcement, since he was 8 years old. In addition, two of his cousins have disabilities, Madachy said.
It kind of puts it close to home he said. The competition and sports...give (Special Olympics participants) a sense of belonging.
Chris Eisenacher, an OU sophomore studying industrial technology, will take the plunge tomorrow for the second year in a row. His primary motivation is his brother, Andy, who has autism and has been competing in the Special Olympics for about 10 years, Eisenacher said.
In my family it's always been one of the big things...going to watch each other play sports
he said. I know that it makes (Andy) feel like any other kid
because he's able to participate in sports.
3
Culture
Meghan McNamara
