Mosquito Lake Polar Plunge Kicks Off Wacky Winter Activity That Benefits Ohio’s Special Olympics Athletes

(COLUMBUS, OHIO) ¬– Mosquito Lake State Park, in Cortland, is the site of a Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Bear Plunge, for the benefit of Special Olympics Ohio, Saturday, January 23. Everyone – individuals and those from groups and organizations – is invited to participate in this wacky winter activity, which raises funds for Special Olympics athletes in Ohio.

As part of this experience, participants obtain monetary pledges and then agree to jump or slowly crawl (however the case may be) into the frigid waters of Mosquito Lake. A new opportunity in 2010 is “Too Chicken to Plunge.” To participate, one raises a minimum of $30 and is awarded with a “Too Chicken to Plunge” T-shirt – as well the opportunity NOT to Plunge.

The activities at Mosquito Lake begin with registration at 11:30 a.m. A costume contest is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the plunge starting at 1:30 p.m. A post-plunge party starts at 2 p.m. at the Trumbull Moose Family Center, in Warren.

Pre-registration and all pertinent information is available at sooh.org. Local information is available from Mosquito Lake Plunge Coordinator Paige Ludwig at palsooh@aol.com or 614.239.7050.

A minimum of $75 in pledges is necessary to participate. All plungers receive a T-shirt and goody bag. There are also incentive prizes for those who raise more than the minimum pledge.

The Mosquito Lake Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ohio is the first of nine scheduled throughout Ohio this winter. Others are scheduled for Sandusky, January 30; Cincinnati (a combined effort between Ohio and Kentucky Special Olympics), February 6; Ohio University, in Athens, February 13; Crew Stadium, in Columbus, February 20; Geneva State Park, February 27; Grand Lake St. Marys, in Celina, March 6; Greater Dayton, March 13; and Indian Lake, March 20.

Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for adults and children with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their own families, their peers and the community. Currently, Special Olympics Ohio serves more than 23,000 athletes throughout the state.

Posted: 2010-01-18