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Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Michigan

March 11, 2010

KALAMAZOO--The Western Michigan University community is invited to take the plunge into the icy waters of a makeshift glacial pool in Lawson Ice Arena to raise money for Special Olympics Michigan.

Participants in the Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge will plunge into a four-foot deep pool Saturday, March 20 to raise money. Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition for more than 17,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who live in Michigan.

The pool, sponsored by Sam's Club, will be filled with freezing water and set up on the ice rink on a wood floor borrowed from the Kalamazoo K Wings. WMU also is sponsoring the event.

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Polar Plunge at Lawson

Registration begins at 11 a.m., and the plunge begins at noon along with a costume parade. Swimmers are encouraged to wear their favorite costume, with the winner of the best costume taking home the Golden Plunger Award. An award and post-plunge party will begin at 12:45 p.m. Papa Johns will once again be sponsoring the party this year.

A registration fee of $50 is required to plunge and plungers are encouraged to seek pledges from family and friends. All participants will receive an official Polar Plunge T-shirt. Shoes are required during the event, and wet suits are prohibited. The post plunge party and awards ceremony is free for participants, and spectators may purchase a ticket for lunch for $5.

There are additional incentives for individuals to raise money, with plungers having the opportunity to win one of the following, along with a T-shirt: a Polar Plunge cooler, a Polar Plunge sweatshirt, a Polar Plunge jacket. Participants who raise more than $2,500 get a Polar Plunge jacket and entry into a trip drawing.

The Polar Plunge is made possible by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a group of police officers and corrections personnel committed to raising funds and awareness for SOMI. The event at WMU is one of 19 Polar Plunges being held across the state. Statewide sponsors include Real Estate One and Charter Communications.

For more information, contact Tom Dowdall, Special Olympics Michigan Southwest development manager, at t.dowdall@cmich.edu or (616) 583-1202.

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Media contact: Deanne Puca, (269) 387-8400, deanne.puca@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
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