Corrections officers Dale Jones, Jenna LaMontange and Kathleen Gagnier hold hands as they make the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympic athletes in this 2018 file photo.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Hatters will be freezin’ for a reason Saturday as they take part in a virtual Polar Plunge, an initiative where participants record themselves being soaked or dunked in frigid water with the goal of raising funds for Special Olympics.
Anyone is eligible to register for the virtual initiative through Special Olympics Alberta’s website. Each participant is required to pay a $50 entree fee and are welcome to collect sponsorship donations, with all funds going toward local athletic programming for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities.
Originally, Big Marble Go Centre was set to host a Polar Plunge event March 12, however it has since been cancelled.
The cancellation hasn’t put a damper on local spirit though, says Medicine Hat Police Services Chief Mike Worden, who, along with members of the MHPS executive team, will be ‘taking the plunge’ over the weekend.
“The MHPS is excited to once again participate in the Polar Plunge,” Worden said in a statement to the News. “Police agencies throughout the province have a longstanding relationship of raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics Alberta through the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). Since its inception in the late 1980s LETR Alberta have raised more than $400,000 annually for Special Olympics Alberta, and every dollar raised from this year’s event will go toward supporting the goals of local athletes.”
MHPS hopes to raise $2,500 for Special Olympics Alberta. They invite individuals who don’t care to brave the cold waters, but still want to show their support to sponsor their executive team members with a donation. Donations can be made online at soa.crowdchange.ca/2180/team/1681.
