SOMO News

The 19^th Annual Polar Plunge on February 8th at Cape County Park North was a splashing success, raising over $64,000 to date. 165 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into the lake at Cape County Park North. In addition, we will have our Polar Bear Strut 5k, in December which we hope to raise an additional $5,000. On March 22^nd, we plan to have another Polar Plunge hosted by the Southeast Missouri State Greeks.  Our goal with this event is to raise another $15,000. Their Reason for Freezin’ was the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO).

Online fundraising is still ongoing. Organizers of the Plunge still hope to raise an additional $2,000 to reach the goal of $66,000. Donations can be made at https://support.somo.org/event/2025-polar-plunge-cape-girardeau/e623337.

“It was a beautiful and amazing day to raise money for amazing athletes.  Thanks to all those who give so much of themselves, going far beyond their comfort level, to help someone else”, said Penny Williams Plunge Coordinator.

Top individual fundraisers:

• 1^st Place Fundraiser-Lisa Berryhill, Athlete, Plunge Ambassador $2,800
• 2^nd Place Fundraiser-Addison Stratton, Chaffee High School $ $2,150
• 3^rd Place Fundraiser-John Atkinson, Belly Whoppers $ 2,050

Top team fundraisers: Stratton

• Top Team-Radiant Reitzel’s $4,820
• Top Law Enforcement Team-Copsicles (Cape Girardeau Police Dept) $1,075
• Top School-Festus Middle School $5,355

Special Recognition:

• Polar Plunge Spirit of John John Atkinson Award: Conner Strickland, Jackson High School

• Legacy of Giving Award: Team honoring Lisa Reitzel-Lydia Reitzel Perkins,  Mark Reitzel, Lottie James, Makenna Rhodes, Mekesha Rhodes, Brady Perkins, Melissa Miller

Competition for the Golden Plunger was steep this year. Participants were encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the “Golden Plunger.”

• Group 1^st Place – Festus Middle School Minions
• Group 2^nd Place – Egyptian Freezin Pharaohs
• Group 3^rd Place – Cape Central Stu Co
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• Individual 1^st Place-Colby Cuzzocrea
• Individual 2^nd Place-Anna Baker
• Individual 3^rd Place-Tie: Lucas Blattel, Daniel Fultz, Kayla Dannenmueller, Logan Gardner

SOMO was lucky to have over 10 athletes helping with this event. Our Plunge Ambassadors for this year’s Plunge were Lisa Berryhill and Daniel Fultz. They are all SOMO athletes, and they worked for months to help spread awareness of the Plunge!

“Special Olympics means so much to me.  It was a great day.  I feel so much acceptance and support”, said Lisa Berryhill, SOMO Athlete, Ambassador and top athlete fundraiser.

This year’s event was held in conjunction with the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Thank you so much to our sponsors!

• Our Polar Hosts include- Cape Girardeau Police Department, Cape Girardeau Fire Department, Cape County Parks Department and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.
• Polar Level sponsors are River Radio, Marcellous Jones Foundation,  Banterra Bank, Kiwanis Club, Coad Toyota, Drury Southwest, AID/VIP and  St. Francois County Board,
• Our Tundra Level sponsors are Culver’s, Southern Cross Medical, American Family-Laurel and Chris Adkisson,1NB

For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit PlungeMO.org.

Media is welcome to download and use any pictures from our Flickr page here.

Please Note: Polar Plungers are asked to fill out our post-event survey here!