TERRE HAUTE —
Hundreds lined up outside Hulman Center amid frigid air to participate in a warm-hearted cause.
The sign on the city’s Cherry Street parking garage read 22 degrees Saturday morning as the fourth Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Indiana got under way. A line of volunteers ready to dive into a pool of cold water worked its way through Hulman Center as spectators huddled outside. Organizers later said the 2012 event set a new record for plungers with 150, and estimated fundraising nearing $19,000.
Indiana State University administrator Paula Meyer said the ranks of volunteers seemed swollen that morning, with many students simply showing up to plunge for charity, money in hand. Even though earlier weeks this month sported temperatures near 50, the sub-freezing air didn’t seem to dampen the mood.
“It wouldn’t be a Polar Plunge if it weren’t cold,” she laughed inside the Hulman Center.
The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Indiana’s signature fundraising event, now on its fourth round in Terre Haute. From Valparaiso to Versailles, 11 sites throughout the state allowed participants to be “freezin’ for a reason,” each raising a minimum of $75 for a chance to jump into cold water.
In 2011, the project raised more than $370,000 and featured 1,857 plungers statewide.
Mayor Duke Bennett had his swim trunks on early, ready for a return to the pool. A veteran of the charity project, Bennett described his memories warmly regarding the icy event. Once one’s body hits the frigid water, the shock sets in immediately, he said. After that, one doesn’t feel too much. “It’s all fun though,” he said.
Standing in the line of participants waiting to register, Peter Ciancone, executive director of The Will Center, said this would be a new experience for him.
“No, this is the first time,” he said, standing in his swimwear. “I’m really happy about it, but I’d be happier if Mother Nature had shifted last week’s weather to this week.
Ciancone remarked that given his agency’s work in the area of special needs, volunteering for Special Olympics makes sense.
And hosting fundraisers at ISU also makes sense, given the university’s ties to Special Olympics. According to information provided at the event, Special Olympics Indiana was founded in 1969 by two ISU professors. The university has hosted the organization’s Summer Games nearly every year since 1970. Special Olympics programs function in 79 of Indiana’s 92 counties, serving nearly 11,000 statewide.
Jodie Biella, an ISU sophomore and programmer for the Residence Hall Association, was dressed up in her team’s theme of “the secret service,” wearing headphones and other gear resembling the security officers.
“Uh, I think it’s going to be cold,” she said, noting this would be her first experience in the plunge. “I’m kind of nervous, but I’m really pumped up for it.”
Meyer said later that 150 plungers participated this year, raising more than $18,686, with pledges still coming in that afternoon.
“That’s the most we’ve ever done and we’re up about $2,000 from what we did last year,” she said, adding that 110 participated in 2011. “It keeps growing. It’s wonderful.”
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
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Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Freezin' for a reason: Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority feel the cold water from the pool on their bare feet as they prepare to jump in Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza It'll make you high strung: John Lentz of Indiana State University Recreational Sports ascends from the water after jumping in Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Plunger formal: Ben Kappes of the Indiana State University Residence Hall Association shows off his formal attire just before taking the plunge Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Where's a magic carpet when you need one? Tim Brinkmyer of Indiana State University Interlink anticipates the cold water as he jumps in feet first Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Plunge support: Supporters cheer and gasp as they watch their plungers jump off the pool ladder Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Is this necessary? Heather Miklozek of Indiana State University Community Engagement prepares to jump into the icy water Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
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Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Icy wakeup: Linda Bedwell of Linton feels the rush after she jumped in Saturday during the Polar Plunge in front of Hulman Center.
Discussion
Freezin’ for a Reason
Participants take the Polar Plunge to help Special Olympics
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