Polar Bear Plunge fundraises for Special Olympics
Participant in this year's annual Saratoga Springs Polar Plunge jump into the water at the Saratoga Springs Marina on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The event was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Utah organization and their athletes. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald
From left, Nikita Mangeris, Brandon Sly, and James McIntyre, members of the Riverton Silverwolves basketball team, react to the freezing water during the 4th annual Saratoga Springs Polar Plunge at the Saratoga Springs Marina on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The event was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Utah organization and their athletes. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald
Participant in this year's annual Saratoga Springs Polar Plunge relacx in a hot tub after jumping into the freezing water at the Saratoga Springs Marina on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The event was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics Utah organization and their athletes. JAMES ROH/Daily Herald
Shivering and dancing, anticipation grew as more than 100 people huddled close to stay warm before the countdown to the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Saratoga Springs to raise money for the Special Olympics. Cloudy skies and above-average temperatures for February did not alleviate the impact of the frigid water as those participating plunged into Utah Lake.
Some took the plunge and immediately sought the warmth of the hot tub and hot chocolate. Others lingered and joked about jumping back in. Everyone was there for a good cause; more than $15,000 dollars was raised for Special Olympics this year.
While many timidly leapt into the lake, 9-year-olds Aydin Rasmussen and Nick Knighton cannonballed in.
Organizations and businesses from Utah and Salt Lake counties formed teams to collect pledges and take the plunge. Several teams competed to raise money and awareness for their cause. Boys in Pink featured grown men jumping in wearing pink tutus and coconut bras, earning them a best costume win. The Riverton High School’s boys basketball team had more than 40 jumpers wearing their team uniform. Salt Lake City’s Slug Women’s Rugby Team jumped, and big names such as Walmart and Ameritrade participated in the annual event.
Sgt. Ed Christensen of the Saratoga Springs Police Department organized the event; he plunged twice this week, once on Saturday and a test plunge on Tuesday. He is excited that the annual event continues to grow every year.
“What we love most is teaming up with Utah Special Olympics and their athletes, and having an opportunity for our citizens to get involved,” Christensen said. “You can see it is just a big party atmosphere. People love to come out, and it is our community that makes this such a success.”
The creative celebration added to the day’s excitement. People dressed up as penguins, superheroes, underoos, male ballerinas, Hawaiian dancers and California boys.
The family group Boys in Pink brought home the awards for having the oldest and youngest jumper.
Bransen Peterson, 7, was the youngest jumper and was jumping for the first time. Bransen said the water was cold, and he was not sure if he was going to jump next year.
Stanley Green, 63, was the oldest jumper and commented that his pink tutu was a bit chilly.
“It was cold. Really cold,” Green said after he plunged. “I will jump again next year. I will.”
Ameritrade brought home the award for raising the most money, more than $4,500.
Several in the crowd watching the foolhardy jumpers mentioned they wanted to jump next year and actively encouraged those participating with whoops and hollers as they plunged. Others offered their excuses for not jumping.
“I told the officers that they had two options: either to jump or donate heavily,” said Saratoga Springs Police Chief Gary Hicken when explaining why he was not jumping with a smile. “I set the example by donating heavily to the Special Olympics.”
