Polar Plunge Raises Money for the Special Olympics

By edhat staff

Special Olympics Santa Barbara hosted its 8th annual Polar Plunge Fundraiser at Leadbetter Beach on Saturday. This year’s theme was “Let’s Get Freezin for a reason!” brought out the community to participate in the “coolest” fundraiser of the year.

Local companies, school groups, community groups, law enforcement, firefighters, and supporters of all kinds ran, walked, and dance into the chilly waters of Leadbetter Beach to raise money for local Special Olympics athletes. Teams included the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Santa Barbara County DA’s, Santa Barbara Police Department, Santa Barbara County Firefighters, City of Santa Barbara Firefighters, California Highway Patrol, UCSB Police, and Ventura County Firefighters, to name a few.

“Taking the Plunge is a unique and exciting way for individuals, groups, and corporations to support our athletes,” said Gina Carbajal, Regional Director of Special Olympics Santa Barbara. “Every dollar raised will help fund our programs and enrich the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities in our community through sports, education and health.”

Each “plunger” raised a minimum of $50 in order to plunge and received a special breakfast cooked and served by local Santa Barbara County and City of Santa Barbara Firefighters.

Special Olympics Southern California – Santa Barbara Region offers year-round sports programs and competitions for over 700 children, teen, and adult athletes from Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, and the Santa Ynez Valley. Special Olympics Southern California changes the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competition. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image.

For more information, visit www.sosc.org/santabarbaraplunge or call Gina Carbajal (805) 680-7764

Photo: John Palminteri / KEYT