Support grows as plunge draws near

Special Olympics
halfway to
$20,000 goal

By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL County – The days are running down to the first Polar Bear Plunge at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. The Feb. 20 fundraiser event, hosted by the Marshall County and Murray-Calloway County Special Olympics, has collected a little more than a third of their $20,000 goal as of presstime.

While fundraising is heating up, water temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees after recent bouts of winter weather. The dropping temperatures haven’t deterred prospective plungers from across the area willing to jump into Kentucky Lake.

“We’re at $7,550,” said Brian Collier, Marshall County Special Olympics coordinator. “We’re passed 120 plungers now and things are really starting to heat up.”

Planners are expecting the number of plungers to continue to grow.

“Dave Kirschner with the state Special Olympics came and did a walk-through last week,” Collier said. “He said we could easily expect a jump of 100 people.”

The rise in plungers has prompted planners to move the post-plunge options. Originally, an event with all participants had been planned at host Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. But to insure there would be enough room for everyone, los Tres Amigos in Calvert City and Tumbleweed in Murray have both agreed to host plungers. The park will still offer a 25 percent discount on meals to plungers.

Nonplungers also continue to grow. Anyone too chicken to plunge may still join a team to support those brave enough to hit the water. Nonplungers will receive a “Too Chicken To Plunge” t-shirt.

“They don’t necessarily have to form a team,” Collier said. “They can join a team that’s already formed.”

Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Feb. 20 prior to events. The costume contest will take place from 11 a.m. until noon.

Collier said they are still seeking prize donations for the costume contest and leading fundraisers in each category.

“As of right now, that’s the biggest need we have,” Collier said. Prizes so far include gift cards and gift certificates.

For more information, or to donate to a plunger, visit http://events.soky.org, or phone Collier at 227-5225.