We are Freezin’ for a Reason!

The 27th Annual Polar Plunge and 5K Polar Bear Strut will take place Feb. 26.  Brave men and women from around the area will don costumes and swimwear and take “polar” dips into the Lake of the Ozarks.  Some will also participate in the 5K Fun Run.  Their Reason for Freezin’. . .  the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri!  All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit training and competition for the more than 16,000 Special Olympics Missouri athletes who participate in the statewide program.     

 

There is no age limit for the Strut, however, the Polar Plunge is open to anyone 10 years or older who is a fan of having a good time for a good cause. The event is hosted by City of Osage Beach and the Osage Beach Police Department.  The Strut and the Plunge will both be beginning and ending at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park / Grand Glaize Beach.  Day-of registrations are welcome for both events.  Strut and Plunge registration begins at 9:00 a.m., with the Strut beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Plunge starts promptly at 2:00 p.m.  

Aren’t comfortable being in crowd right now, but still want to participate?  We have an option for you – be a part of our “At Home Plungers”!  Just go to www.somo.org/plunge and click on the LOZ link, then choose At Homel Plunger for your registration option.  You can still do all the fundraising and earn all of the great incentives – you will just do some sort of cold water challenge from your home.

Back for the 8th year is the Pee Wee Plunge – only this year, this even will be VIRTUAL only!  This event is open to any child through 9 years of age and will be held in the parking lot near the registration tent at 1pm the day of the Plunge. There is a $25 registration fee and each “Pee Wee” will receive an official event t-shirt.  If your Pee Wee decides to fundraise, and they raise $100, they will receive a fun Polar Plunge prize as well.  If you would like to register your child online, please go to www.somo.org/plunge, click on the LOZ link and choose Pee Wee Plunger for your registration type.  For more info, please contact Crystal at [email protected] or 573-635-1660.

Each Plunge participant must raise a minimum of $75 to participate ($50 to Strut) and can earn incentives by reaching fundraising goals. All Plunge and Strut prizes can be viewed online. 

Costumes are highly encouraged.  Judges will choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors in these categories: schools, individuals, teams and law enforcement.  No wet suits are allowed and shoes are required.

The easiest and most efficient way to register is online at www.somo.org/plunge. Participants may also pick up paper registration forms at the SOMO HQ office (305 Special Olympics Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101). 

All plunging participants will receive an official Polar Plunge commemorative shirt, bragging rights for freezing your fur off!

Polar Plunge sponsors include MO Department of Natural Resources, Mix 92.7, Cool 102.7, KS95, KRCG, Lamar, Margaritaville at the Lake, and LO Profile.  

For more information about the Polar Plunge, please contact Crystal Schuster at (573)635-1660 or email [email protected].

About Special Olympics Missouri

Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 16,000 athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state.  Special Olympics 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.

Special Olympics Missouri is proud of our financial health returning 83 percent of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, Charity Navigator 3-star rating and an inductee into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 2013.  

Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill. 

Visit Special Olympics at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter @somissouri; fb.com/specialolympicsmo; Instagram @somissouri.