Special Olympics Polar Plunge Makes Fundraising Splash

More than $45,000 was raised for Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties.

South Ripley High School students raised more than $3,000 for the Special Olympics Indiana Polar Plunge at Versailles State Park on Saturday, February 16. Photo courtesy Special Olympics Indiana ROD.

(Versailles, Ind.) - The 11th annual Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympic Indiana took place Saturday, February 16 at Versailles State Park.

With more than 140 participants in the plunge and 5K run/walk, the event raised over $45,000 with money still coming in, according to Greg Townsend with Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties.

The event challenges participants to not only dive into the frigid water, but fundraise for the opportunity. Broken up into four categories the fundraising challenges encourage participants raise money for the event to win prizes.

The winners for these categories included Osgood resident Matthew Menchhofer, who raised over $3,000 and was named the super plunger of the event. Knights of Columbus and Lions Club was one of the top teams raising over $10,000.

Raising the most money in the public safety and cool school challenges are the Greensburg Police Department raising over $1,000 and South Ripley High School raising over $3,000.

Another fundraising for the organization event is coming up soon. On Saturday, February 23, Special Olympics ROD will be having a chicken dinner and dance at the Batesville Knights of Columbus with all proceeds going towards sending the bowling team to the National Unified Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas. Dinner will be served 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. with the dance following 8:00 until 11:00 p.m. There be a free will donation at the door, along with split-the-pot and a cash bar.