SOMO News
30th Annual Polar Plunge raises $226,737 for Special Olympics Missouri
LAKE OF THE OZARKS – The 30th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge this past Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Lake of the Ozarks was a splashing success, raising $226,737 to date, with money still flowing in. A total 18 Super Plungers, 11 Pee Wee Plungers, 231 Plungers, and 75 Strutters from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to run a 5K and/or take a chilly dip into Lake of the Ozarks. Their Reason for Freezin’ was the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO).
Online fundraising is still ongoing. Donations can be made here!
“I am completely blown away by the support of the community and all the participants for this year’s event,” said Crystal Schuster, SOMO’s Senior Director of Community Development. “The amount of money raised for the SOMO athletes is nothing less than incredible, and my heart is overflowing with gratitude for everyone involved!”
Top individual fundraisers:
- 1st Place Fundraiser – Amber Anderson Smith | $15,510
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 1st Place – Joel & Company
- Group 2nd Place – Jolly Rogers
- Group 3rd Place – Osage Beach PD ft. Jelly Roll
- School 1st Place – California High School Stu-Co
- School 2nd Place – Dent County
- School 3rd Place – Camdenton High School
STRUT RESULTS
Strutters: 75
Money Raised: $5,870
Top Male: Luke Webb – 18:36.89
Top Female: Amorita Jenkins – 28:23.66
SUPER PLUNGE RESULTS
Super Plungers: 18
Money Raised: $142,654
Top Fundraiser: JT Gerlt | $32,000
PEE WEE PLUNGE RESULTS
Pee Wee Plungers: 11
Top Fundraiser: Jackson Barthelmass | $1,350
SOMO was lucky to have SOMO athlete and Plunge Ambassador Bobby Bates helping with this event.
“I love helping with the Polar Plunge and seeing all of the excitement the day of the event,” Bates said.
This year’s event was held in conjunction with the Osage Beach Police Department.
Thank you so much to our sponsors!
- Our Polar Level sponsors are Missouri State Parks, Mix 92.7, KS95, Cool 102.7, KRCG 13, Jolly Rogers, and Lamar Advertising
- Our Tundra Level sponsors are LO Profile and Margaritaville Lake Resort.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit PlungeMO.org.
Media is welcome to download and use any pictures from our Flickr Page.
Please Note: Polar Plungers are asked to fill out our post-event survey here!