MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters, 3131 East Kearney Street, Springfield, Missouri 65803


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Jason M. Pace
417-895-6868
D42015
December 23, 2015

EMPHASIS: Troop D Announces First Ever Polar Plunge In Springfield


The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, the Springfield Police Department, and Special Olympics Missouri are seeking companies to sponsor the upcoming first ever Polar Plunge in Springfield, Missouri. The event is planned for January 30, 2016, and sponsors are encouraged to register now to receive all event benefits. The deadline is January 12, 2016. It is hoped this will become an annual event.

The Polar Plunge is one of many events planned and hosted by Missouri’s law enforcement community. Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri

On January 30, 2016, participants age 10 and up, will don costumes and swimwear and take “polar” dips into the lake at The Ski Shack Cable Park, 5539 S. Campbell, Springfield, Missouri. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. and the plunge starts at 2 p.m. Each participant must raise a minimum of $75 to participate and can earn incentives by reaching fundraising goals. Sponsors receive recognition on media coverage with plunge media partners on the Special Olympics Missouri online registration site, e-communications to past plungers, as well as recognition on printed material and exposure onsite during the plunge event and in post-event publicity. Sponsorships range from $250 to $750. All proceeds from next year’s event will benefit training and competition for the 1,814 Special Olympics Missouri athletes in the Southwest Missouri area. In 2015, Polar Plungers currently have raised over $23,000 for Special Olympics Missouri athletes. Next year’s goal is $24,000, and organizers hope to break the $1 million mark across the state with 13 events.

Costumes are highly encouraged. No wet suits are allowed and shoes are required. Awards will be given in the following categories: Top Fundraiser, Top Fundraising Group, and Top Fundraising School (all must be pre-registered). Golden Plunger Awards for the most creative costumes will be presented to the top group and top individuals.

For information about the event, go to www.somo.org/plunge or register online at www.somo.org/plunge. For more information about sponsorship, please contact Robin Anderson, Special Olympics Missouri development director, at (417) 624-5505 or email anderson@somo.org.

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