SOMO News
RELEASE: 29th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge raises $272,800 for SOMO
LAKE OF THE OZARKS – The 29th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Polar Plunge this past Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Lake of the Ozarks was a splashing success, raising $272,800 to date. A total 20 Super Plungers, 13 Pee Wee Plungers, 250 Plungers, and 84 Strutters from around the area donned Hawaiian-themed costumes and swimwear to run a 5K and/or take a chilly dip into Lake of the Ozarks. Their Reason for Freezin’ wasthe 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 | $15,953
Top team fundraisers:
- Top Fundraising Team – Jolly Rogers | $20,000
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 – Plungers in Wonderland
- Group 2nd Place – Gilligan’s Island
- Group 3rd Place – Davis Dawgs
- Individual 1st Place – The Super Troopers
- Individual 2nd Place – Buzz “Lakeyear”
- Individual 3rd Place – Lucky Charms
- School 1st Place – California High School Stu-Co
POLAR BEAR STRUT 5K RESULTS
Strutters: 84
Money Raised: $4,856
Top Male: Tucker Seise – 17:07
Top Female: Jamie Johnston – 30:55
SUPER PLUNGE RESULTS
Super Plungers: 20
Money Raised: $166,741
Top Fundraiser: JT Gerlt | $43,000 (new record for a Super Plunger)
PEE WEE PLUNGE RESULTS
Pee Wee Plungers: 13
Top Fundraiser: Jackson Barthelmass | $1,140
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 Mid-MO Honda Dealers, Missouri State Parks, Mix 92.7, KS95, Cool 102.7, KRCG-TV, Jolly Rogers, and Lamar Advertising
- Our Tundra Level sponsors are LO Profile and Margaritaville Lake Resort.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit www.somo.org/plunge.
Media is welcome to download and use any pictures from our Flickr page!
Plungers are welcome to fill out our Polar Plunge survey here!
Please note: We have another Polar Plunge in Mid-Missouri coming up on March 9 in Columbia. You can check out our press release here!