Annual Polar Plunge Benefiting Special Olympics Indiana Returns To Versailles State Park Feb. 15

Signature cold-weather fundraiser supports year-round programs for people with intellectual disabilities in southeastern Indiana and across the state.

(Versailles, Ind.) — Special Olympics Indiana invites supporters to raise money and awareness by taking part in its 2020 Versailles Polar Plunge, to be held Saturday, Feb. 15 at Versailles State Park (1387 US-50).

On-site registration for the event will take place near the boat ramp beginning at 10 a.m. for the Polar Climb 5K Run/3K Walk and at 11:30 a.m. for the Polar Plunge. Runners will take their marks at 11 a.m., while plungers will enter the lake beginning at 2 p.m. Advance registration and additional details are available at www.soindiana-rod.org/polarplunge.

Hosted by Special Olympics Indiana’s Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Counties Program, the event features a heated festival tent at the park, offering games, entertainment, a food court, and the always popular “After Splash Bash,” where additional prizes will be awarded as participants warm up with food and beverages. Spectators and guests are welcome throughout.

As the organization’s signature fundraiser for more than 20 years, the Polar Plunge directly benefits more than 18,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout Indiana and plays a vital role in ensuring that an ever-growing number of children and adults with intellectual disabilities continue to benefit from no-cost participation in life-changing sports, health, education, and leadership programs.

“We continue to be amazed and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support Special Olympics Indiana receives through the Polar Plunge each year,” said President & CEO Jeff Mohler. “It takes a special person to not only raise money and awareness for our athletes, but to do it by jumping into freezing water. And we’re fortunate to know a lot of those special people.”

All participants are asked to raise a minimum of $75 in pledges before taking an icy dip to demonstrate their commitment to the cause, with awards presented to top fundraisers. Participants can register as individuals or gather friends, family members, co-workers, or others and register as a team. Supporters may also register as “Virtual Plungers” and raise money without getting wet.

Those interested in supporting the event and raising money without getting wet are invited to register as “virtual plungers” or to instead take part in the Polar Climb 5K Run/3K Walk. Details, fees, and registration information for the run/walk are available at www.soindiana-rod.org/polar-climb.

To date, the Polar Plunge has raised over $7 million in support of the organization’s year-round programs and events, including over $900,000 in 2019. More than 3,000 individuals are expected to participate again this year, with a total of 18 separate events to be held at parks and on college campuses across the state.

Special Olympics Indiana’s 2020 Polar Plunge is presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run to Benefit Special Olympics and is sponsored statewide by Toyota Motor Manufacturing and Duke Energy, among others. Additional support for the Versailles Plunge has been provided locally by the Indiana Knights of Columbus District 28 (Aurora, Batesville, Bright, Lawrenceburg, Osgood), Eagle Country 99.3 FM, WRBI 103.9 FM, Register Publications, The Versailles Republican, and the Osgood Journal.

Visit www.soindiana-rod.org/polarplunge to learn more about the Polar Plunge at Versailles State Park, to view the full calendar of events, or to register or donate in support of a participating individual or team.