With temperatures around 30 degrees on Saturday, almost 100 brave Special Olympic athletes, coaches, students and community volunteers took the Polar Plunge at Valparaiso University.
“To see the community, the campus and the athletes come together for something like this, it’s special to me,” said Chuck Garber, chairman of the local event and Valparaiso University’s police chief, who brought the Polar Plunge to VU 15 years ago.
“My dad was a special needs school bus driver and when he got sick, I took over for him for a short time,” said Garber. “That definitely inspired me to start working with Special Olympics.”
“Special Olympics teaches sports but it also teaches so much more in so far as leadership, and taking these athletes out of their shell, helping them with their life skills,” said Garber.
“People can really take a lesson from the Special Olympics athletes, “ said Garber. “They don’t see color, they don’t see heavy or thin, it just doesn’t matter, and we could all take note of that.”
Paul Jegen of Chesterton has been a Special Olympics basketball, swimming and golf coach for 11 years. Jegen’s son, Richard, 19, is a Special Olympics athlete. Jegen was plunging as part of his team, the Polar Bear Misfits.
“It’s an honor to help fundraise for this worthy cause that has had a profound impact on so many lives, ours included,” said Jegen.
Garnett Kirk, of Cedar Lake, and area director of Special Olympics Indiana, raised over $5,500.00 for the plunge.
“I get it out there by texting, emailing and using social media, besides being pretty outspoken about the cause,” said Kirk of his fundraising efforts. “And there’s a little bit of twisting arms.”
“It means so much to me to see these athletes compete and get medals, and I get the privilege of watching them grow throughout the years,” said Kirk.
Special Olympics athlete Blake Anderson, 24, of Hebron, said he is a 5-year plunger.
“I play basketball, volleyball, bowling, softball and soccer,” said Anderson, who noted that bowling is his favorite.
Anderson also got to carry the Special Olympics torch from the Hilltop Gym outside to the Polar Plunge pool where he was one of the first plungers.
“It was good,” said Anderson. “Not too cold.”
In its 26th year, the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics has generated more than $12 million for Special Olympics Indiana. Last year, more than 3,400 plungers raised $1.6 million. Saturday’s event in Valparaiso raised $42,589.19.
“The funds go toward providing more than 19,000 athletes statewide with the opportunity to train and compete in more than 20 sports,” said Joe Frollo, director of marketing and communications for Special Olympics Indiana.
“This is a bucket list event that naturally brings together people from all backgrounds, highlighting the interests and values we share,” said Frollo.
Around 30 members of the Valparaiso University football team came to plunge as part of a fundraising group, including Alex Goworowski, a junior from Chicago, who has been doing the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics since he was a senior in high school when he plunged into Lake Michigan for the cause.
“I really appreciate this event because I have been blessed with my physical abilities, and giving that gift of sport to help others is always a great feeling,” said Goworowski.
“The Polar Plunge brings the community together to benefit a great cause,” said Frollo. “Any time individuals with and without intellectual abilities gather at the same event, it offers an opportunity for awareness and acceptance.”
Special Olympics Indiana receives no state or federal funds for the sports training and events that take place year-round, relying on the generosity of volunteers and donors. To get involved or to find out more information, visit soindiana.org.
Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
