For the seventh straight year, hundreds of Alaskans eagerly fulfilled the motto of the Polar Plunge: “freezin’ for a reason.” The annual fundraiser raised more than $300,000 for Special Olympics Alaska, according to the organization’s president, Jim Balamaci.
“It just warms the heart to see Alaskans coming together around the holiday to support people with intellectual disabilities statewide,” he said.
Eight hundred people participated in Saturday’s event. Many came with coworkers as part of an office-wide fundraiser.
“This year, we have the biggest team we’ve ever had. We’ve been doing it for about four years now, and we’re hoping to keep doing it every year,” said Linnzi Doerr, who was jumping alongside coworkers from R&M Consultants, which raised roughly $2,000.
While plungers in past years have had to endure sub-zero air temperatures, the weather on Goose Lake midday was a mild 27 degrees.
“I’m so excited about the temperature. We’re just praying that the wind does not pick up. We want to get in there and get out as soon as possible,” Doerr said.
Most people were only in the chilly water for a few seconds before clambering up a ladder on the opposite side. Once they emerged, they were handed a fresh towel from a Special Olympics athlete.
“It feels good. I’ve been thanking all the plungers before they jump in,” said Ayesha Abdul-Jillil, who competes in bowling, snow shoeing and track and field.
After the plunge, participants ran inside for a quick jump in a hot tub to raise the body’s temperature.
Organizers said they hope to keep growing the event each year.
“It just warms my heart,” Balamaci said. “Today, there’s no better place than Goose Lake and Anchorage, Alaska.”
Friday, February 17 2017 12:06 PM EST2017-02-17 17:06:28 GMT
Thursday, June 21 2018 4:03 PM EDT2018-06-21 20:03:55 GMT
You’re my friends now. We’re having soft tacos later. Yeah but I don’t know how to make myself go there. Maybe it might never happen again. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Put a little fence around it! Ralph Waldo Pickle Chips! I don’t know him.Pony Lords, jump for you
PersonalityCatbug may be about 10 years old, and has a very sweet and childlike personality. Catbug's personality also makes him seem simpler and more carefree, like in the episode "Gas-Powered Stick," where he was seen talking to a spider, and in the ep
PersonalityCatbug may be about 10 years old, and has a very sweet and childlike personality. Catbug's personality also makes him seem simpler and more carefree, like in the episode "Gas-Powered Stick," where he was seen talking to a spider, and in the ep
Thursday, February 23 2017 9:17 PM EST2017-02-24 02:17:22 GMT
Thursday, March 16 2017 1:27 PM EDT2017-03-16 17:27:38 GMT
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) - A woman was trapped early Friday morning in her home after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her while she was in bed. Fort Wayne fire crews and paramedics rushed to the sceneMore>>
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (21Alive) - A woman was trapped early Friday morning in her home after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her while she was in bed. Fort Wayne fire crews and paramedics rushed to the sceneMore>>
Monday, August 27 2018 5:26 PM EDT2018-08-27 21:26:00 GMT
Tuesday, May 5 2020 10:40 AM EDT2020-05-05 14:40:00 GMT
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla vel efficitur diam, ut tempus lorem. In laoreet velit eget magna malesuada, sit amet mollis diam pretium. Suspendisse vulputate erat et maximus commodo. Proin ullamcorper, neque quis commodo vMore>>
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nulla vel efficitur diam, ut tempus lorem. In laoreet velit eget magna malesuada, sit amet mollis diam pretium. Suspendisse vulputate erat et maximus commodo. Proin ullamcorper, neque quis commodo vMore>>