Polar Plunge Raises $76,000 for Special Olympics Virginia

The Special Olympics athlete Josh Norris declared, “Freezin’ with a purpose!” to the crowd, which included hot dogs, blue-faced Highlanders and professional wrestlers as well as aliens and Angels. He then handed the microphone over to Edward Shaw, the meteorologist, who was the master of ceremonies at the Valentine’s Day Polar Plunge in Bisset Park, Radford.

Over 300 people took part in the jump into the opaque, 38-degree water of the New River to raise funds for Special Olympics Virginia. This organization hosts over 2,000 athletic competitions a year, free of charge, for all ages and abilities.

A cherubim, surrounded by his grandchildren smiled. The gold heart embellishments on his white tunic and fire engine red wings shone in the cold sun. James Coleman had driven from Tappahannock in Virginia five hours to jump into the water for Special Olympics athlete Joey Wheeler.

“Cold! “Cold! Coleman exclaimed, “I feel like a real person now,” after his dip. He was now wingless after giving his wings to an bare-chested college-age man laughing with friends in the plunge-line.

The line for the plunge stretched along the cement boat ramp at Dudley’s Landing. From the DJ tent, the kind of music that you would hear at a hockey match was blaring. The air was filled with the smell of popcorn, hotdogs and wet golden retrievers. People who had danced the “Cupid Shuffle”, tossing arms and bopping hips, with abandon a few minutes earlier, craned their necks in order to see how the plungers behind them responded to the olive-green water.

Water rescuers wearing fluorescent yellow vests and black wetsuits surrounded a semicircle of people in the river, giving high-fives. Some people laughed, others shrieked and some kept their mouths shut in silence. Mayor David Horton ran in and out of the water in navy blue swim trunks with stars and aviator shades. The majority of people were only in the water for a few seconds. Few people dipped their heads in the water.

Matt Adamo, dressed in a “Braveheart’ costume with blue face paint, said: “Kilts are the way to go!” His group, Special Olympics Area 9 in the New River Valley, won the costume competition.

The Polar Plunge this year had 376 participants who raised $76,000. The original fundraising goal was $108,000. Katelynn Wayell, Senior Director of Development of Special Olympics Virginia, believes that three consecutive weekends of snow storms could have affected participation.

This reporter wore a parka and winter beanie, just like Howell.

Adamo’s “Freedom!” shouted in “Braveheart style” during the costume procession, “freezedom” was what came to mind. What stayed with me hours later was not the cold, nor the sparkles wings. It was the Special Olympics Oath. The crowd had recited it loudly and clearly twice before taking the plunge.

“Let me be the winner.” “Let me win. But if I can’t, let me try to be brave.”

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The article Polar Plunge raises $76K in Virginia for Special Olympics first appeared on Cardinal News.