Polar Plunge to benefit SOAR set for Saturday at Village Creek

The annual Area 8 Special Olympics Arkansas Polar Plunge is set for this coming weekend, Saturday, Feb 1, at Lake Dunn in Village Creek State Park. Registration will begin at 11 a.m., with the plunge taking place at noon. St. Francis Area Developmental Center Director Joey Astin predicts that the water in Lake Dunn should be around 40 degrees this weekend. "We are excited to get started Saturday," said Astin. "Right now, we are expecting a high of 56 and a low of 39 on Saturday. We are supposed to have good weather. It's looking like the water temperatures on Saturday are possibly going to be in the 40s. That is cold water. We don't have any pre-registration taking place, so we don't know how many plungers we will have, but we will have cold water." Astin explained there are numerous incentives for those looking to take the plunge each year such as T-shirts, towels and raffle tickets for the grand prize drawings. "There are incentives for the donations the plungers receive," said Astin. "Each plunger who raises $50 will receive an official plunge T-shirt. Once they raise $250, they get three raffle tickets. At $500, they will get a plunge towel and seven raffle tickets, and at $750 they receive 10 raffle tickets. Participants who raise $1,000 will get 15 raffle tickets, and at $1,500 they earn 25 raffle tickets. Usually, plungers will go out and get sponsors from people to get them to plunge into, hopefully, cold water." According to Astin, three $1,000 giveaway drawings take place after the plunging season is over each year as a grand prize for plungers across the state. "As plungers raise money, they can earn raffle tickets that will enter them into a drawing that is held at the end of the season for $1,000," said Astin. "There will also be instant winners and someone will win $250 at each Polar Plunge location." Astin said those planning to take the plunge should seek pledges from friends, family members and others to help raise money for Special Olympics Arkansas. "We see a large amount of participation from our surrounding communities," said Astin. "This is a great fundraiser across the state for a great cause. Our plungers and communities look forward to the plunge each year and we usually see about $3,000 raised yearly from our area. Last year, we had around 20 plungers participate in our event at Village Creek." Astin explained that Special Olympics Arkansas, or SOAR, is in its 51st year and provides year- round sports training and Olympic- type competitions to nearly 20,000 athletes in over 15 different sports. "Athletes in Arkansas train and compete in swimming, track and field, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, power lifting and other sports at the local, regional, state and international levels," said Astin. “SOAR's mission is to provide year- round sports training and Olympic-type competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Arkansas. While our competition events are often in public view, it is our training program that forms the foundation of all that we do in the state,” he said. Astin said the event is also open to the public for those wanting to watch the Polar Plunge, adding that people are welcome to make donations without plunging. "We welcome anyone who would like to come see the plunge to come and watch," said Astin. "We will also be accepting donations to SOAR. Those hoping to participate in the plunge will need to print and bring a copy of their donation page from www.specialolympicsarkansas.org website under the Polar Plunge tab with them on Saturday, Feb. 1. All sponsors should make their checks payable to Special Olympics Arkansas."

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