Northeast Michigan residents take a freezing plunge to raise funds for the Special Olympics
Polar plungers take a jump into the chilly water
With temperatures lingering around only 20 degrees, plungers were anxious to get in, and out of the water.
Polar plunger J. Richards says his first time jumping was exhilarating, but intense.
“It was fun. It was my first time. I wanted to try something new, get out there. I used jump in in like November, December before the ice, but with the ice, it’s a little bit chiller.”
Even with the chilly weather, participants say raising funds for the Special Olympics was a worthy reason to take the freezing jump.
Plunger George Snedden says donating and the taking the jump helps give members of the special needs community a chance to feel like champs.
“It gives back to special kids and everything like that. Special Olympics [is for] the athletes and the people that have a disability, it helps them be able to feel like they’re a winner.
WBKB sports anchor, Larissa Liska, explained why the cause is so important to her.
“One reason I really wanted to jump today, is that was my mom’s first job. She was a special ed teacher, and she coached Special Olympics in Texas, so I definitely wanted to do this jump for her and everything that she’s become today.”
Lauren Mixon, WBKB News.
