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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How Will YOU Act if There is a Fire?

F-I-R-E!

Recently there was a fire in an apartment complex behind our gym (LA Fitness, formerly known as Urban Active). The Hillsborough Pointe fire, reminded me of the time my husband and I wandered across a garage engulfed in flames in our old Benson neighborhood. Similar to whoever alerted firefighters to this apartment fire, we didn’t hesitate to take action. We pulled around to the front of the house. My husband jumped out of the car and ran to the door. I whipped out my cell phone and called 9-1-1. When the door opened, a kid came bolting out of the house followed by a much older lady, very shaggy German Shepard dog and little girl with pig tales (who was crying). The grandma who was babysitting had no idea of the fire.

Brian ran to the back of the house to attempt to put out the flames in the garage. All the while the young boy was in a thither. Brian and a neighbor who happened upon the blaze would soon find out why. The boy was the one who had set the fire with a firework. The flames continued to grow starting to reach the house when finally we could hear sirens in the distance. Brian and I ran to the front of the house; however, the only place to park by the fire hydrant was where we had parked. So, we jumped in the car and drove off knowing they were in safe hands.

Our intentions that night were to eat at Sizzler (this is no joke); however, the husband and I vetoed that suggestion and we were meeting my in-laws at the Outback. When we walked in and told Jan and Wayne our tale they were in disbelief. On the ride home we drove by the charred garage and noticed the siding on the south of the house had melted from the residual heat. At that moment, I told my husband we should’ve stayed and spoke to the fire department because we may have gotten a commendation or something. He took his hand away from the steering wheel and patted himself on the back. Saying, “That is all the commendation I need.”

I wanted to use this platform to thank whoever made the 911 call for their valiant effort in helping others in this Northwest Omaha apartment fire, too. You know who you are – kudos!

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