SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – On Saturday, March 15, hundreds of Northern Californians will brave the chilly and choppy waters of Pacific Ocean – all in the name of Special Olympics. Donned in costumes but without the protection of wet suits, Special Olympics athletes and their supporters will jump into winter-chilled waters of the Pacific Ocean at Santa Cruz’s Main Beach for the Santa Cruz Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Special Olympics Northern California. In its second year at the Santa Cruz location, this weekend’s Polar Plunge is one of 10 Polar Plunge events hosted by Special Olympics Northern California this winter.
Plungers, which include individuals, companies, law enforcement, families and schools, are asked to raise a minimum of $125 – which provides one season of sports instruction and competition at no cost to the Special Olympics athlete. One of Special Olympics Northern California’s preeminent events, the San Francisco Polar Plunge raises funds that directly allow Northern California Special Olympics athletes to participate in regional, national and international competitions all the while promoting acceptance, building bonds of friendship and unity and creating lifelong memories.
Among those taking the Polar Plunge on March 15 will be members of local law enforcement agencies such as Santa Cruz Police Department and Scotts Valley Police Department, along with schools from across Northern California along with corporate teams from Coca-Cola, Canepa, Environmental Roofing, PG&E and more.
In 2013, the Polar Plunges had more than 1,400 Plungers who raised over $450,000 for the athletes of the Special Olympics Northern California and Nevada. Special Olympics Northern California is supported entirely by events like the Polar Plunge, local business and individual gifts, and receives minimal state or federal funding.
Registration and donations for the Santa Cruz Polar Plunge are currently being accepted online at iPolarPlunge.com and will be accepted on site. Costumes are encouraged and the most creative individuals and teams will be lauded at a costume contest.
The Santa Cruz Polar Plunge is one of 10 Polar Plunge events hosted by Special Olympics Northern California – Fresno, Fort Bragg, Kelseyville, North Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, South Lake Tahoe, Ukiah and Weed. For more information or to register to take the Polar Plunge, please visit iPolarPlunge.com.
Sponsors of the Santa Cruz Polar Plunge include Aerotek, Bay Area News Group, CBS5, Coca-Cola and TEKsystems.
Special Olympics Northern California is a free, year-round, sports training and competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 16,000 athletes compete in 152 competitions throughout the region in 11 sports. This requires the extraordinary support and time of 15,100 volunteers and volunteer coaches. Financial support comes almost exclusively from individuals, organizations, corporations and foundations. For more information on Special Olympics Northern California, visit http://www.SONC.org or join us at Facebook.com/SONorCal and Twitter.com/SONorCal