Heart BEAT

Taking the Plunge

Waitsburg team takes a cold dip for Special Olympics

KENNEWICK - The Kennewick Polar Plunge was held on Saturday, Jan- uary 19 at Columbia Park boat dock, where over 600 brave souls were treated to a dip in 38-degree water.

Our small group, "The Plunging Poultry," consist- ed of two Waitsburg stu- dents - E.J. Merserve and Chris Philbrook - and me. We cannonballed off the dock into the Columbia.

This year, I raised $1,921 for our Special Olympics athletes. I was the third-highest single fund-raiser this year. Many participants, like E.J. and Chris, raised or paid the minimum ($25 for students; $50 for adults), so they can jump and earn a special long-sleeve t-shirt commemorating the event. It all goes to the same great cause.

The Polar Plunges held throughout the state are fund-raising efforts orga- nized by law enforcement agencies to benefit Special Olympics Washington.

Randy Maynard, a ser- geant with the Kennewick Police Department, is the contact person for the Ken- newick Plunge. He gave me the following informa- tion regarding this year's plunge: This year, the Ken- newick Plunge grossed $213,000. By comparison, the same Plunge grossed $127,000 in 2011 and $158,000 last year.

Plunger registrations and corporate sponsors netted $85,000, while the remaining funds are inkind contributions and cap- ital to hold this fun-filled event. This year, there were 642 registered plungers. It was the seventh time this special fundraiser has been held; this was my third time.

It gets more fun every year. The Kennewick Po- lice Department does a fantastic job of organizing the event and making it fun for the participants.

Words cannot express my appreciation for all the people from the local communities who pledged. Funds from the Kennewick Plunge help support our local athletes in Walla Walla and Columbia counties. It takes $650 a year to fund each Special Olympics athlete.

Thank you everyone! I hope to keep expanding and will try to get a full team of 10 or more Poultry Plungers next year and be- come one of the top fundraising teams.