Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ontario goes virtual

Routinely raising half a million dollars in support of Special Olympics Ontario, the annual Polar Plunge is back, and this year it’s fully virtual.

In Kingston the annual Polar Plunge fundraiser looks a little different this year, as participants in the city and from across the province join in to support Special Olympics Ontario athletes.

According to a release from Kingston Police, dated Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run (OLETR) is the largest awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser worldwide for Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge fundraising event is a signature initiative that worldwide raised $26.5 million for Special Olympics in 2020. In Ontario alone over $560,000 was raised last year.

This year the event is completely virtual and runs until February 28. Kingston Police say individuals are asked to participate in the following ways:

• Register for the plunge by visiting www.polarplunge.ca
• Plunge anytime now until February 28, 2021 from the comfort of your own home. Ways to Plunge safely in the comfort of your own home can be found here: https://polarplunge.ca/ways-to-plunge/
• Fundraise and receive amazing prizes and incentives while helping support over 26,000 Special Olympics athletes across the province
• Post your Plunge video on social media using the hashtag #PlungeON

“During the pandemic, the support is even more important than ever,” stated Kingston Police Constable Bryan McMillan of the Community-Oriented Response and Engagement Unit. “When in-person sports and programs closed in March, athletes found new ways of participating, staying active and healthy, and most importantly, staying connected.”

Special Olympics Ontario athletes have been keeping active through virtual programing since March 2020, according to the release. The athletes are eager and anxious to be able to return to their in-person sports and programming when it is safe to do so.

“The support from events such as the Virtual Polar Plunge are pivotal every year but especially this year,” expressed Cody Jansma, Director of business Development for Special Olympics Ontario. “These events help locally in your community to ensure that every athlete can make it back to the playing field and not be left behind.”

Show your support by taking the Plunge or donating today.

About the Polar Plunge

The Polar Plunge event is a signature fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and all in support of Special Olympics. In Ontario the Polar Plunge fundraiser has been growing for over 20 years and last year raised over $560,000 for Special Olympics Ontario. This year the Plunge is virtual.

About the Law Enforcement Torch Run

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest public awareness vehicle and grass-roots fundraiser worldwide for Special Olympics. Known as Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members and Special Olympics athletes carry the Flame of Hope into the Opening Ceremony of local competitions, and into Special Olympics State, Provincial, National and World Games. Additionally, over $50 Million was raised in 2019 globally at local, grassroots fundraisers benefitting Special Olympics. In Ontario, LETR raised $3.3 million in 2019 for Special Olympics Ontario making it a record breaking year.

About Special Olympics Ontario

Special Olympics Ontario is part of a dynamic worldwide charitable organization dedicated to promoting active lifestyles for people with an intellectual disability through the power of sport. The organization is building communities of acceptance and inclusion for all people.