HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – The Holland Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan is right around the corner and registration is open.
Here’s how it works. You sign up, collect donations with the minimum donation of $75, wear a zany costume and jump in. That’s it, but it’s all for Special Olympics Michigan benefiting Area 12 which serves Ottawa and Allegan counties.
Grace Maiullo is Development and Event Coordinator for Special Olympics Michigan and says the Plunge helps provide year-round sports training, competitions, health programs and inclusive opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
“There are common misconceptions about Special Olympics, that we are a one-time event, once-a-year event and that’s not so. We have sports training and athletic competitions throughout the year. We offer 24 different sports. On top of that we also offer programs like Healthy Athletes, Project Unify and Young Athletes. You have to be 8 years or older to be an athlete in Special Olympics, but we also have a program We have programs for children age 2-7. Athletes do not incur any expenses to participate in our program which means we really rely on the community to keep our programs strong.”
The Holland Polar Plunge benefiting Area 12 is Saturday, February 18, at the Elks Lodge on 24th Street in Holland. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the first plunger jumps in at noon. You’re invited to stick around for the After Splash following the last plunger.
You can register and sign up as a team or individual all the way up to the day of the Plunge.