Polar Plunge strives to raise $10,000 for Special Olympics
November 12, 2014
By Tabassum Ali
Students will be “freezing for a reason” Thursday night at The 90, when the annual Campus Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Kentucky takes place.
On Hilltop Court near the Young Library, at 7 p.m., around 90 people will plunge into freezing water to raise money, said Phi Sigma Kappa Campus Plunge chair Austin Hughes.
“We are so lucky to live in such a supportive community that (is) willing to make donations to this cause,” the integrated strategic communications senior said.
This year’s participants each paid $30 to take the icy dip.
“So far, the amount raised stands at $6,690,” Hughes said. “The goal is to raise $10,000.”
Special Olympics is an international program that provides sports training and athletic competitions for more than one million children and adults with intellectual disabilities, according to the Special Olympics Kentucky website.
Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity has collaborated with Special Olympics Kentucky to plan for this event for about two and a half months, Hughes said. Other student organizations have also gotten involved.
Brandy Denton, a member of the UK Student Council for Exceptional Children has a personal goal of raising $100.
“I was the president of UKSCEC — an organization that works with and advocates for people with disabilities,” Denton said. “I thought it was a great idea for our organization.”
This year’s Campus Plunge attendees are encouraged to wear neon and glow-in-the-dark clothing.
For anyone participating, there will be facilities such as heaters and tents to change and warm up in after the ice-cold plunge.
“The best part of the night is seeing the athletes that show up and seeing how happy they are to see people supporting them,” Hughes said.
The event is open to students and faculty, Hughes said, who are encouraged to support the participants.
“We hope students will learn that we should not focus on disability, but focus on ability instead,” Denton said. “Some of these athletes are very talented at the sports they choose to play.”
