Bitter temperatures will not keep hundreds of Special Olympics supporters from jumping into the lake at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve on February 25.
Participants can also participate in a 5K Donut Dash event where eating donuts actually helps your time. This is the only 5K around that not only tests your speed but your ability to eat donuts. Participants will be treated to multiple donut stops along the route and will receive a minute deduction from their overall time for each donut they consume along the course. Awards will be given to the top three individuals in each age category.
Registration for the 5K begins at 8 a.m., with the Donut Dash Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Polar Plunge Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and the plunge will start at noon.
Dashers who register online by February 10, 2017 will receive a commemorative Polar Donut Dash t-shirt.
Funds raised from the Polar Plunge and Donut Dash will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Easter Prairie/Area 8, which serves athletes with intellectual disabilities in six Central Illinois counties.
The money raised helps Area 8 purchase medals, ribbons, facility fees, equipment, t-shirts and meals for the athletes. Area 8 pays $120 to $150 per athlete to participate.
Eastern Prairie Area 8 Director Jackie Walk said the Special Olympics program helps the participants come out of their shells. The programming helps the youth develop physically while providing a safe environment for them to develop friendships. She said the social interaction is also good for parents who need to relate to others in similar circumstances.
Each Polar Plunge participant must collect a minimum of $100 in donations to participate. Each year, Plungers form teams and wear costumes for the event.
Plungers will receive incentive prizes based on the amount of money they raise. By raising the minimum of $100, you’ll receive an official Plunge hooded sweatshirt and admission to the post-plunge party. Sweatshirts will be available on a first come, first serve basis the day of the plunge. All individuals who do not receive a sweatshirt the day of the event will have one mailed to them in April. Other prizes are awarded at the $250, $500 and $1,000 levels.
To volunteer with the Special Olympics in Central Illinois, contact Jackie Walk.
