CAPE GIRARDEAU – The 19th Annual Polar Plunge on February 8th at Cape County Park North was a splashing success, raising over $64,000 to date.
165 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into the lake at Cape County Park North.
In addition, the annual Polar Bear Strut 5k, will be held in December to raise an additional $5,000.
On March 22nd , there will be another Polar Plunge hosted by the Southeast Missouri State Greeks.
The goal with this event is to raise another $15,000.
Their Reason for Freezin’ was the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO). Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the Plunge still hope to raise an additional $2,000 to reach the goal of $66,000.
“It was a beautiful and amazing day to be raising money for amazing athletes. Thanks to all those who gives so much of themselves, going far beyond their comfort level, to help someone else”, said Penny Williams Plunge Coordinator.
Top individual fundraisers:
- 1stPlace Fundraiser-Lisa Berryhill, Athlete, Plunge Ambassador $2,800
- 2ndPlace Fundraiser-Addison Stratton, Chaffee High School $ $2,150
- 3rdPlace Fundraiser-John Atkinson, Belly Whoppers $ 2,050
Top team fundraisers: Stratton
-Top Team-Radiant Reitzel’s $4,820
-Top Law Enforcement Team-Copsicles (Cape Girardeau Police Dept) $1,075
-Top School-Festus Middle School $5,355
Special Recognition:
Polar Plunge Spirit of John John Atkinson Award: Conner Strickland, Jackson High School
Legacy of Giving Award: Team honoring Lisa Reitzel-Lydia Reitzel Perkins, Mark Reitzel, Lottie James, Makenna Rhodes, Mekesha Rhodes, Brady Perkins, Melissa Miller
Competition for the Golden Plunger was steep this year. Participants were encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the “Golden Plunger.”
- Group 1stPlace – Festus Middle School Minions
- Group 2ndPlace – Egyptian Freezin Pharaohs
- Group 3rdPlace – Cape Central Stu Co
- Individual 1stPlace-Colby Cuzzocrea
- Individual 2ndPlace-Anna Baker
- Individual 3rdPlace-Tie: Lucas Blattel, Daniel Fultz, Kayla Dannenmueller, Logan Gardner
SOMO was lucky to have over 10 athletes helping with this event.
The Plunge Ambassadors for this year’s Plunge were Lisa Berryhill and Daniel Fultz. They are all SOMO athletes, and they worked for months to help spread awareness of the Plunge!
“Special Olympics means so much to me. It was a great day. I feel so much acceptance and support”, said Lisa Berryhill, SOMO Athlete, Ambassador and top athlete fundraiser. This year’s event was held in conjunction with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.
Thank you so much to our sponsors!
Polar Hosts
- Cape Girardeau Police Department, Cape Girardeau Fire Department, Cape County Parks Department, and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.
Polar Level
- River Radio, Marcellous Jones Foundation, Banterra Bank, Kiwanis Club, Coad Toyota, Drury Southwest, AID/VIP, and St. Francois County Board
Tundra Level
- Culver’s, Southern Cross Medical, American Family-Laurel, and Chris Adkisson,1NB
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit PlungeMO.org.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit PlungeMO.org.
Special Olympics Missouri Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. SOMO provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
SOMO is proud of our financial health, returning 83% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Guidestar Gold Level and Charity Navigator 4-star rating. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 5 most trusted nonprofit. Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.