By Brittany Webb, Sports Editor
Posted 06:10 PM EST, Sun., Feb. 26, 2017
Annually, the Special Olympics host their annual fundraiser event, known as the Polar Plunge, at Nationals Park. This year was no different, as participants had the opportunity to jump into three above ground swimming pools.
“The Special Olympics started in 1971, so the organization has been serving people with special disabilities in the District for a long time,” Special Olympics DC CEO, Nicole Preston said. “As for the Polar Plunge event, this is the fourth one.”
After jumping in the frigid water, plungers, family, friends and spectators are invited to the Budweiser Brew House and Centerfield Social for music, food and the plungers dressed in costumes.
“It’s a fun event, a family-friendly event where everybody can come out,” Preston said. “Each person raises $100 to jump in the pool and then when you come out, we’ve got a [disk jockey] and a fund day in Nationals Park.”
The bravery of approximately three hundred plungers that Preston accounted for jump into frigid waters for the benefits of the 1,600 athletes of Special Olympics D.C. The money raised helps Special Olympics provide programs, which are “essential in helping children and adults with intellectual abilities lead healthier lives and develop valuable skills.”
“We offer sports, health and education programs,” Preston said. “We have 12 sports that we offer and three competitions, annually—Our Winter Classic, Fall Classic and Summer Games.”
As of today, the Polar Plunge raised 82 percent of its $250,000 goal. The organization is still accepting donations here.
For upcoming events and information about how you can support the organization, you can visit their website.
