Take the Icy Polar Plunge for the Special Olympics Nebraska

The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics athletes and programs.

Something Midwesterners can count on at this year’s Polar Plunge, there will be no polar bears and all proceeds raised go towards a very good cause. Do you have what it takes to be a plunger? A plunger can be anyone brave enough to dip more than their toes in some icy water for the annual Polar Plunge. The water temperature in Nebraska this time of year is usually between 35 and 40 degrees.

All of the money raised from the Nebraska Polar Plunges benefits Special Olympics athletes and programs in the state. In 2013, there are several Polar Plunge sites in Nebraska: Auburn, Kearney, Lincoln, Meadville, Omaha and Scottsbluff.

This bone-chilling event invites plungers, to collect pledges from family, friends and coworkers for plunging into the freezing waters. While there are no age restrictions; prizes are awarded to the oldest and youngest plungers. Anyone can take the plunge: adults, teens and kids. Teams are welcome! Teams might include public servants, sororities, fraternities, rotary clubs and Special Olympics athletes.

Event staff does offer some warnings and advice to plungers. The Polar Plunge is a crazy event, so fun is encouraged. Many of the plungers form teams and plunge in costumes or come up with a team theme. This is the fifteenth year for the event, some costumes and themes that have won prizes at the plunges or impressed the crowd are: SpongeBob, togas, Blue Man Group, Gilligan’s Island, pirates and penguins.

As far as warnings plunge staff cautions, we do want you to be sensible about plunging. Bring a change of clothes, towel and a stocking cap to keep your head warm. It is a very safe event, as we do have divers in the water, but it is an extremely cold event. The plunge will happen quickly, people are only in the water for about a minute or less and then run to a heated tent or facility.

 

• Meadville – Jan. 26 at Niobrara River

• Auburn – Feb. 9 at Legion Memorial Park

• Omaha – Feb. 16 at Lake Cunningham

• Lincoln – Feb. 23 at Holmes Lake

• Scottsbluff – Feb. 23 at the YMCA Camp

• Kearney – March 2 at Yanney Heritage Park

Money is raised by plungers going out and soliciting pledges from friends, family and coworkers. You can register for the plunge online at http://www.firstgiving.com/sone.
(Editor's note: photos and content courtesy of Special Olympics Nebraska).

-population-we™ blog post by Becky Bohan Brown
© 2013 population-we, LLC 
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