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 At the lake, more than 200 people gathered along the shore with
180 plungers taking the dip while friends and family cheered them
on.
The day began with registration and the turning in of money at the
Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln. The counting of money began
immediately and was still underway when the plungers returned to the
hall in the afternoon.
Shortly after 11 a.m. plungers and guests began loading onto school
buses provided by West Lincoln-Broadwell School and headed out to
the lake shore.
After the opening remarks that included comments from city of
Lincoln temporary Council Chairman, Marty Neitzel, guests were asked
to honor the flag as Lesleigh Bennett sang the National Anthem.
Then it was the time all had been preparing for, the plunge. The
first team in the water was the Honorary Plunge Team of Team Lexie.
The team consisted primarily of staff and employees of Eaton Corp,
who plunge in honor of little Lexie, who is the granddaughter of
Paula Coffey.
The plunge continued with each team taking the dive. Some were brave
and went “all in” while others chose to wade out into the water to
knee depth and then come out.
Once out of the water, each diver was given a clean, dry towel
provided by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital and permitted to
change into dry clothing in the changing tents set up at the lake.
When all were done, it was back on the bus for the ride back to the
KC Hall. There all the plungers enjoyed a free lunch of hot dogs and
chili. Meals were also available for purchase by guests.
At 1 p.m., Joanie Keyes, the Special Olympics Area 10 director,
began the afternoon awards program. She said the counting of
donations was still underway, but at that moment, the Lincoln Plunge
had brought in $30,007.91. She said there were still some matching
gifts to be counted and other dollars that would be added to the
total.
Next, there was a recognition of sponsors. Local sponsors included
West-Lincoln Broadwell School, Logan County Paramedic Association,
Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District, Logan County Sherriff's
Office and Department Auxiliary, the Logan County Emergency
Management Agency and its dive and rescue teams, Logan County Fair
Association, City of Lincoln Fire Department, and Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital. Thanks were given to Wal-Mart and Wendy’s for
food donations and the Knights of Columbus for the use of the hall.
Recognition was given to the wide variety of media for their
sponsorship and coverage. The Lincoln Lakes Condo Association was
thanked for providing the location, and Carlton Holdings was
recognized as an event sponsor as well.
Keyes also acknowledged the state-wide sponsors: Geico, Skinny Pop,
Coca-Cola, Beer Nuts, Apple Vacations, Sports Net, the Knights of
Columbus, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
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Drawings were held for a 50-50 cash prize that came to just
over $50.00. Students only were allowed to enter for a
television drawing. After the awards had been presented, another
series of drawings took place for some terrific gift baskets.
Before the awards, Keyes said it was time to select the 'Honorary
Plungers for 2016.' Lexie, from this year’s Honorary Plunger team
was called to the front of the room to select the Honorary Plunger
for 2016. The United Riders Motorcycle Club will be the first in the
water next year.
The 'Best Costume' went to Nate Fanning, who took the plunge as
Superman, but was wearing his Batman shirt when he accepted his
trophy.
The 'Spirit Award' this year went to an accidental plunger. Ann
Klose had been recruited as the photographer of the day for Special
Olympics. She had donned her wading boots and was out in the water
taking her shots when she collided with a plunger. She ended up on
her knees in the water, soaked to the bone along with everyone else.
'Team Best Costume' went to the Lynx Won’t Sink team.
The 'Oldest Plunger' this year was Donna Nelson at 73 years of age.
'Most Money Raised by an Individual' was Julie Bradford with $2,455.
Bradford was busy in the cash room but gave a wave out the door.
Honorable Mention was also given to the second place person, Paula
Coffey, who raised $1,937.
'Team with the Most Plungers' went to Lynx Won’t Sink with 41
plungers. Team Lexie was also mentioned with 38.
 'Most Money Raised with over 15 people' in the team went to Team
Lexie with $6,305.
'Most Money Raised by a team of 5 to 15' people went to $1191 went
to the Special Olympic team, Lincoln Gone Crazy.
'Most Money Raised by a team of less than five people' went to
Culver’s with $351 by four team members.
The 'Cool School Challenge' went to the Lincoln Junior High School
Trojans who raised $642.
[Nila Smith] |
