On March 21st Logan County will be "Plunging for a reason"

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[March 12, 2015]  LINCOLN - On Saturday, March 21, approximately 200 people will brave cold waters by plunging into the Lincoln Lakes as part of Logan County’s annual Polar Plunge. 2015 marks the seventh year the Polar Plunge has been in Lincoln.

The Polar Plunge is presented by Law Enforcement Torch Run and GEICO as an opportunity to support Special Olympic Athletes. As the Special Olympics Illinois website notes, “Participants must raise at least $75 in donations from friends, family and co-workers in exchange for jumping into the icy waters. Each plunger receives a Polar Plunge sweatshirt and entrance into a Post-Plunge Party, plus the chance to win additional prizes for raising more money.”

In 2015, plunges will take place in 20 different locations. Last year, the plunge in Logan County raised more than $30,000. For this year, local contact Joanie Keyes says they are hoping to raise at least $33,000.

Team Lexie, sponsored by Eaton in honor of Paula Coffey’s granddaughter Lexie, is the largest team with 43 participants and was the top money earner last year. Team member Michael Parrish, who has been part of the team for three years, said that in addition to those who work at Eaton, several of Lexie’s family take the plunge every year and Lexie gets to choose the shirt color for the team. Mike Koke has been part of the team for the past three years and says he plunges in order to support his coworker and her granddaughter. Amber Phillips is also part of the team for the first time this year, though she has attended the Polar Plunge the past few years, and says she is participating to honor friends and family with disabilities.

Those using the site for donations post:


I have committed to ‘be bold and get cold’ for the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois by taking an icy dip into the frigid winter waters! While I’m getting cold just thinking about it, I’m excited to join the thousands of warm-hearted individuals that will participate in the Polar Plunge. The cold I’ll experience is temporary; the positive impact this event makes on the lives of Special Olympics athletes across Illinois will last a lifetime!

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Rod Clarke, who works at a local group home has been taking a plunge for 5 years. As to why he gets involved, Clarke says, “I've been involved with special Olympics for 20 years. Going to a Special Olympics event is just a great experience. Nothing but smiles.”

Athlete and long-time participant Janet Finn has posted on the donor site that she is “plunging for our friends and other athletes.”

Dan and Fran Fulscher have been doing the plunge for several years as well. Fran says, Dan was approached by Polar Plunge as the EMA director to help secure a site for the plunge. They help coordinate emergency response and set up. This was an "easy" yes for Dan and I. We both hold a special place in our hearts for the Special Olympians!”

Other groups include a team from the junior high led by Angie Bonaparte, a team from the high school led by Michelle Ryan, a team from Lincoln College led by Spring Hyde, and teams from the United Rider’s MC, Zion Lutheran school, and Culver’s. In addition, Walmart is sponsoring a team led by Cherokee Sydney and will also be donating all the food.



The plunge starts March 21, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Lincoln Lakes. Participants may register up until 7:00 a.m. the day of the plunge and must check in between 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

[Angela Reiners]

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