OU students take 'Plunge' to support Special Olympics Ohio
By Megan Krause, Campus Life writer
February 14, 2008 | 7 p.m.
Ohio University students will brave the wintry waters to support Special Olympics Ohio's Polar Bear Plunge at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at Strouds Run State Park.
OU is the only college campus to host the 2008 Polar Bear Plunge called Freezin’ for a Reason. Paige Ludwig, assistant development director for Ohio Special Olympics, expects a good turnout for the event.
"It's kind of a crazy act that I think younger people are more apt to participate in," she said.
The event involves participants registering, taking pledges and jumping into a body of water. Plunges take place across Ohio in an effort to raise money for about 22,000 Special Olympians. The Special Olympians participate in seven state-wide events including basketball, bowling, aquatics, softball and summer and winter games.
A costume contest will take place at 1 p.m. The actual plunge will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by a gathering at BW3's around 2 p.m.
Phi Kappa Theta Vice President Jeff Madachy, who organized the event, is not sure what kind of costumes to expect. However, if he and his fraternity brother Zach White raise $1,000, they will wear Speedos to the plunge.
Madachy’s father is a police officer in Euclid, Ohio, and participates in fundraisers for Special Olympics Ohio. Law enforcement is the No. 1 sponsor for Special Olympics Ohio, Madachy said.
The Law Enforcement Polar Bear Plunge will take place Feb. 23 at Geneva on the Lake and will be the first Ohio Super Plunge. The stakes are raised at this event to require a minimum of $2,500 in pledges, and participants plunge once an hour from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Madachy has participated in past fundraisers for Special Olympics Ohio and decided to support the organization further by bringing the Plunge to OU. Madachy said it would be an important cause for Phi Theta Kappa to support.
"It'd be a good philanthropic event for us and [will] get our name out there," he said.
So far $2,695 in donations has been raised by participants who are registered online. The OU Police Department is the leading team with $1,800 in pledges.
Special Olympics Ohio modeled the Plunge after a fundraiser that took place in Delaware. "They had great success in a short period of time," Ludwig said of the Delaware event.
This extreme winter fundraiser had its first run in Ohio in Ashtabula in 1997. Over the years, the event has spread to nine plunges across Ohio because of its success. Last year, Special Olympics Ohio raised almost $200,000 with six plunges.
A minimum of 50 dollars in pledges is required to participate, and incentive prizes are offered for participants who raise more than the required amount. All participants will also receive a goody bag and a long sleeved T-shirt for participating.
Paramedics and a dive team will be standing by to ensure the safety of all involved. A tent with a heater will also be set up on the grounds to warm up wet plungers after the event.
Students who are interested in participating in or donating to the event can find more information at the Special Olympics Ohio Web site. Online registration is available now or starting at 11:30 a.m. at Strouds Run State Park the day of the event.
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