By: Caitlin Bailey '11
Published on
In the middle of winter, most people in Michigan think of cuddling beneath warm blankets
with hot chocolate in hand. Participants of the East Grand Rapids Polar Plunge, however,
think about jumping into the chilling waters of Reeds Lake, which they will do on
Saturday, February 19.
Kicking off its seventh year, the 2011 Polar Plunge is promising to be as successful as last year's event. Over 130 plungers raised close to $40,000 for the Special Olympics, an organization that supports sports-training and athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities.
“I think that the fact that AQ is helping support the Special Olympics is a huge deal," said Ben Kruid, an AQ senior and a four-time jumper in the Polar Plunge. "The Special Olympics is a great charity and while it is tough for me to be able to contribute fiscally, I’m more than happy to jump into a frozen lake to support the cause. I think that people tend to think more about what the plungers are doing and not enough on why they’re doing it. In all honesty, I think that if AQ wasn’t doing the polar plunge through Special Olympics, then I don’t think I’d do it this year.”
So far, the Aquinas Saints have raised over $500, according to >firstgiving.com, an online site where donations can be made to these brave plungers. Past jumpers can attest to the chills and thrills of supporting such a notable charity.
“It was a fun-dorky event that got your blood pumping for a great cause! I actually jumped in the freezing water with an evening gown on. It was so funny and I was able to watch the reactions of my friends who also came,” said Kelly Connor, a sophomore.
The costumes of the participants in the Polar Plunge help create the event into the memorable experience it is. In the past, people have dressed up as Wonder Woman, Fred Flintstone, members of the band KISS, and prom queens.
In 2008 and 2009, Aquinas held its own Polar Plunge on campus. However in 2010 the AQ Programming Board decided to join the community in its efforts to support Special Olympics for the Polar Plunge at Reeds Lake.
“As AQ, we participate in the event because not only is the event hosted in our community area, but also the entire fundraiser brings such joy to all those that participate in the Plunge: the givers, the pledgers, and the recipients…Win-win-win all around,” said Whitney Fitzgerald, student assistant in Campus Life and President of AQ Programming Board.
To participate in the Polar Plunge, you need to raise at least $50 in donations from friends, family, or anyone looking to support a good cause. Anyone plunging receives a T-shirt as well as the chance to win additional prizes.
>Donate to Support Team Aquinas or Register to Plunge
Kicking off its seventh year, the 2011 Polar Plunge is promising to be as successful as last year's event. Over 130 plungers raised close to $40,000 for the Special Olympics, an organization that supports sports-training and athletic competition for children and adults with disabilities.
“I think that the fact that AQ is helping support the Special Olympics is a huge deal," said Ben Kruid, an AQ senior and a four-time jumper in the Polar Plunge. "The Special Olympics is a great charity and while it is tough for me to be able to contribute fiscally, I’m more than happy to jump into a frozen lake to support the cause. I think that people tend to think more about what the plungers are doing and not enough on why they’re doing it. In all honesty, I think that if AQ wasn’t doing the polar plunge through Special Olympics, then I don’t think I’d do it this year.”
So far, the Aquinas Saints have raised over $500, according to >firstgiving.com, an online site where donations can be made to these brave plungers. Past jumpers can attest to the chills and thrills of supporting such a notable charity.
“It was a fun-dorky event that got your blood pumping for a great cause! I actually jumped in the freezing water with an evening gown on. It was so funny and I was able to watch the reactions of my friends who also came,” said Kelly Connor, a sophomore.
The costumes of the participants in the Polar Plunge help create the event into the memorable experience it is. In the past, people have dressed up as Wonder Woman, Fred Flintstone, members of the band KISS, and prom queens.
In 2008 and 2009, Aquinas held its own Polar Plunge on campus. However in 2010 the AQ Programming Board decided to join the community in its efforts to support Special Olympics for the Polar Plunge at Reeds Lake.
“As AQ, we participate in the event because not only is the event hosted in our community area, but also the entire fundraiser brings such joy to all those that participate in the Plunge: the givers, the pledgers, and the recipients…Win-win-win all around,” said Whitney Fitzgerald, student assistant in Campus Life and President of AQ Programming Board.
To participate in the Polar Plunge, you need to raise at least $50 in donations from friends, family, or anyone looking to support a good cause. Anyone plunging receives a T-shirt as well as the chance to win additional prizes.
>Donate to Support Team Aquinas or Register to Plunge