From police officers to sorority members, graduate students to coaches, teenagers to famous quarterbacks, the Polar Plunge accepted anyone and everyone willing to jump into the 43-degree Willamette River on Feb. 20.
For the first plunge in Eugene, more than 150 people ran into the cold river to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Oregon and its athletes.
Even 15 minutes before people were scheduled to run into the water, event organizers were still calling out to passing joggers and dog-walkers, encouraging them to come join in the chilly fun for a great cause.
Meanwhile, the plungers were getting ready for their cold dip and putting the finishing touches on their outfits for the costume contest.
“I’m so cold already!” said Monica Venice, a Special Olympics athlete and member of The Ice Queens of Cottage Grove plunge team.
The Ice Queens were easily the most glamorous team to plunge into the Willamette. Venice and her teammate created costumes with their Special Olympics basketball coach Jill Vaverka, consisting of black gowns, white sashes and silver crowns they made themselves.
Vaverka, a Special Olympics coach of three years, said The Ice Queens raised $1,118 for Special Olympics, more than double their original fundraising goal of $500.
Special Olympics organizes Polar Plunges across the country. Oregon’s first plunge originated in Bend five years ago, said Mark Evertz, vice president of marketing and public
relations for Special Olympics Oregon.
“The plungers were an absolute hoot in Bend. It’s where our most avid, out-of-their minds supporters jump into the water for a few cold seconds for the good of the cause,” he said.
Because of the success in Bend, Special Olympics Oregon launched a Polar Plunge in Portland last year that was also met with great participation, raising more than $170,000 for the program between the Bend and Portland events.
The Polar Plunge extended beyond Bend and Portland for the first time this year to include Eugene, Corvallis and Medford, with the Eugene plunge raising more than $25,500 for the cause.
The unique fundraiser has attracted many different donors and plungers, including former Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington, who participated in both the Portland and Eugene Polar Plunge events this year.
“I know it’s something new for everybody jumping in the river in the middle of winter and it doesn’t sound fun, but once you do it, you love it, you enjoy it,” said Harrington, who wore a colorful inner tube, snorkel and kickboard for his plunge. “I’m cold, they’re cold, but we’ll make a splash for Special Olympics Oregon.”
The event is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics’ largest fundraising arm in the world, Evertz said. In Eugene’s plunge, local law enforcement officers including Eugene Chief of Police Pete Kerns were seen running into the Willamette, along with students and community members.
“It’s great; very invigorating,” Kerns said, still dripping from his plunge. “It’s not as horrible as it might look, and it’s for an awfully good cause.”
Special Olympics Oregon’s combined fundraising goal for all five of the Polar Plunge events is $250,000. Money raised during the Polar Plunge events goes to support 15 different Special Olympics sports programs, including skiing, snowboarding, bowling, soccer and volleyball. Nearly 7,000 athletes with developmental disabilities take part in Special Olympics programs in Oregon each year.
“Our athletes inspire greatness not only on the field but off the field in communities around the state. It’s not about disabilities, it’s about abilities and what you’re capable of doing that I think underlies the importance of Special Olympics,” Evertz said.
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