The Poteau Polar Plunge was held on Feb. 29, 2020, at the Poteau City Pool at Twyman Park.
Several teams took the plunge to help with Special Olympics.
The event is held every year and the Poteau Polar Plunge keeps getting bigger and bigger every year, with teams dedicated to helping the Special Olympics. Many participants dress in costumes, but all participants have a compassion for helping people.
Some of the teams participating in this year’s event were:
The Kiamichi Technology Centers Criminal Justice class–according to Instructor Mike Walker, 18 of his 33 students participated in the plunge
The Wister Police Department Cold Case Dunkers Team
The LeFlore County EMS
Ron’s Discount Lumber
CNB
Double Branch #BlakeStrong
The Mercy Clinic Have Mercy
Plunging Pirates with special guest plungers Poteau Mayor Scotty White and owner of Fatman’s BBQ, Roger Mattox
Idabel team
Regina Smith Team
Stacy Holman was the oldest plunger. Nicki Weaver was the youngest plunger. Tanna Weaver won the best costume.
Gary Hecht was the Top fund raiser.
Plunging Pirates was the top team fund-raiser.
According to the Special Olympics website the “Polar Plunge is a fundraising challenge made to an individual or group challenging them to dive into a cold body of water in order to raise money for Special Olympics. Each participant collects pledges from family, friends and businesses in the hopes of raising lots of money for Special Olympics.
The Polar Plunge is coordinated by the Law Enforcement Torch Run which is an international charity made up of law enforcement personnel who raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.”
“Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The first International Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. There are programs in all 50 states and more than 4.4 million athletes in 226 Accredited Special Olympics Programs across more than 170 countries worldwide with 7 regional offices around the world, located in Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe-Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East-North Africa and North America. Special Olympics, Inc. is a non-profit international organization located in Washington, DC.
Oklahoma’s first Special Olympics event was an athletics competition at the University of Tulsa in 1969. In 1972, Special Olympics Oklahoma was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is governed by a state-wide Board of Directors. Special Olympics Oklahoma is authorized and accredited by Special Olympics, Inc., for the benefit of citizens with intellectual disabilities. Today, Special Olympics Oklahoma benefits 10,597 athletes and is supported by over 1,700 volunteer coaches and thousands of sponsors, donors and volunteers conducting more than 140 sports competitions and training clinics every year.”
Mission Statement
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The Goal
The goal of Special Olympics is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected by their families, friends and in their communities.
Benefits
Athletes carry the benefits from their involvement in Special Olympics with them in their daily lives at home, in the classroom, on the job and in the community. Families are strengthened and the community increases its understanding, acceptance and respect of these individuals.
View photos and video on the Oklahoma Welcome Facebook page
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