2008 Polar Plunges raise $1.1 million
This year's ten Polar Plunges were a huge success! Throughout the month of February and into March, more than 6,200 brave souls plunged into the icy waters of Wisconsin to raise over $1.1 million for over 10,000 athletes with cognitive disabilities statewide.
The Plunge's success is, in large part, thanks to Special Olympics Wisconsin Mission Partner Kwik Trip. Kwik Trip stores across Wisconsin help promote the Plunge, sell icons to raise money and many employees raise pledges and take the Plunge themselves. This year, Marketing Director for Kwik Trips Stores Inc. Gary Gonczy alone raised over $6,000 in pledges for the La Crosse Plunge.
Plunge season kicked off with the Stevens Point Plunge on February 2. Plungers were excited to have a beautiful day for the event this year since last year's event was a pinkie Plunge due to the extreme cold. The Plunge, held at Rusty's Backwater Saloon, was a success, raising more than $41,100 with prizes, entertainment, food and beverages for the 280 Plungers who participated.
New for this year was our 10th Plunge location in Whitewater. The event was held as part of the Winter Festival on February 9 and 160 Plungers raised over $17,000. What made this a unique Plunge? Participants experienced a chilly plunge into a swimming pool because nearby Lake Cravath was too mucky for the event.
Eau Claire's Polar Plunge took place the same weekend, on February 10, with a brutal -32 wind chill at the time of the plunge that forced Plungers to do a Pinkie Plunge. Over 600 participants came out to dip fingers, toes, elbows, even tongues in the frigid water. The event raised over $94,000 for Special Olympics Wisconsin!
The same day, the Muskego Polar Plunge, raised $100,000 with 200 participants. Due to the below zero wind chill, plungers took a dip in a kiddie pool under a tent. Those who really wanted to take the full Plunge were given Plunge passes to participate at Green Bay or Pleasant Prairie's plunge the following week. In addition to the usual Plunge festivities, Plungers were treated to a performance by the popular Wisconsin band, The Love Monkeys.
This year 1,800 Plungers took the Madison Polar Plunge on February 16 raising over $300,000. Even Bucky Badger and members of the UW Band took the Plunge into Lake Monona! Since its inception nine years ago, the Madison Plunge has raised over $1 million for Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Four Plunges were held on February 23 in Pleasant Prairie, Wausau, Oshkosh and Green Bay. The Pleasant Prairie Plunge was a huge success raising over $80,000 with 400 participants. After the Plunge, a party was held at the Brat Stop to celebrate.
Wausau's Polar Plunge moved to a new location for 2008, Sunnyvale Man Made Park. More than 339 plungers jumped into the lake and raised $50,000! One plunger flew in from Seattle just to take the Plunge in Wausau.
The Oshkosh Polar Plunge raised over $200,000 and grew considerably this year with 1,000 Plungers. Plungers enjoyed music from the band RMS and kids entertainment by magician Mike Schroeder.
For the second year, The Watering Hole in Green Bay served as the site for the Green Bay Plunge where 319 Plungers raised $75,500! A bonfire near the Plunge hole was a big hit and helped keep the Plungers warm before and especially after they took the icy dip! Plungers were able to enjoy the post-Plunge party inside with food, beverages and a raffle.
The last Plunge of the season was held on March 1 in La Crosse at Black River Beach and raised over $155,000 with 1,130 Plungers. La Crosse celebrated 10 years of Plunging with "Dippin' for a Decade." Plungers who participated all 10 years were invited to do a super Plunge, plunging 10 times in five hours! The La Crosse Plunge rounded out the 2008 Polar Plunge season and brought the Wisconsin state total to over $1.1 million.
More information about the Polar Plunge
Polar Plunge pictures and video