Polar Plunge set for March 2

The 2013 Special Olympics North Dakota Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 2 at the James River Family YMCA, 904 Seventh St. NE, on the Jamestown College campus.

Last year the Polar Plunges held in Jamestown, Grand Forks, Fargo and Minot raised $47,000, according to Katie Allen, SOND director of special projects.

“Minot held a Polar Plunge in December and that helped boost our donations,” she said.

The Jamestown event raised about $6,500 last year.

The Jamestown community was the first to host a Polar Plunge fundraiser in the state in 2006, Allen said. Since then Grand Forks and Fargo joined in hosting plunge events, with Minot hosting one in December.

New this year is the Dickinson Polar Plunge which takes place on March 23 at the Dickinson Recreation Center. Allen said all the plunge events have the same tentative schedule of registration from 10 to 11:30 a.m. the day of the event, with the plunge happening from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. An awards ceremony is held after the final plunge.

The plunge enjoys support from the state and local law enforcement communities, according to Allen.

“They (law enforcement) are a big part in the plunges,” she said.

The Jamestown plunge brings about 90 jumpers each year.

“Last year we had a bunch of students from Jamestown College participate,” Allen said.

This year SOND is creating a challenge between Jamestown College and Valley City State University to see which school can raise the most funds.

JC junior Alannah Dosh said this will be her third time jumping in the Polar Plunge.

“I’m part of a group called the Jimmie Janes,” she said. The group participates in different campus events.

“There are 25 active members in the Janes this year,” Dosh said. She is also part of the coordinating committee for the Polar Plunge.

Anyone may participate in the Polar Plunge. Participants collect pledges. Those collecting a minimum of $75 receive a plunge T-shirt. Those pledging $250 receive a T-shirt and beanie; $500 brings a shirt and towel and a $1,000 pledge gets you a shirt and fleece blanket.

Individuals who raise the most money at each event, who raise a minimum of $1,000, may receive an Ipad Mini.

For would-be plungers who don’t want to jump into cold water and want to help out, there is the “Too Chicken to Plunge” T-shirt. For a $30 donation people will get the T-shirt and a seat in the “Chicken Coop” area where they can watch people jump into the water.

For more information about any of the Polar Plunges happening this year, go to http://www.speicalolympicsnorthdakota.org.

Sun reporter Chris Olson can be reached at 701-952-8454 or by email at colson@jamestownsun.com

Tags: community, benefit