SOMO News
RELEASE: SOMO preps for 19th Annual Kansas City Polar Plunge
KANSAS CITY – The 19th Annual Kansas City Polar Plunge will take place on Saturday, Jan. 28. Brave men and women from around the area will don disco-themed costumes and swimwear and take “polar” dips into Longview Lake. Their Reason for Freezin’. . . the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO)! All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit training and competition for the thousands of SOMO athletes across the state, including right here in Kansas City.
The Polar Plunge is open to anyone 10 years or older who is a fan of having a good time for a good cause. The event is hosted by the Kansas City Police Department and the Lee’s Summit Police Department and will take place at Longview Lake Beach at 11101 Raytown Rd., Kansas City, MO 64134. Day-of registration begins at 10 a.m., and the Plunge Opening Ceremony will begin promptly at noon. Plunges will begin immediately after the Opening Ceremony.
“We’re excited to be back at Longview this year Freezin’ for a Reason for SOMO,” Plunge Coordinator Christina McDonough Hunt said. “The Plunge has been a tradition for the past 18 years in Kansas City, and it’s great to see plungers rally behind our athletes and support them through the Plunge.”
In 2022, Kansas City Polar Plungers raised over $155,100 for SOMO athletes. Each participant must raise a minimum of $75 to take the Plunge and can earn incentives by reaching fundraising goals. This year’s goal is $160,000, and organizers hope to break the million-dollar mark across the state with 10 events.
Costumes are highly encouraged. Awards will be given in the following categories for pre-registered Plungers only.
- Top Fundraiser
- Top Fundraiser Group
- Trop Fundraising School
Golden Plunger Awards for the most creative costumes will also be presented to the top group and top individual.
No wet suits are allowed, and shoes are required.
The easiest and most efficient way to register and fundraise is online! Simply go to this link to sign up and email your friends and family to support your Plunge. Paper registration forms are also available at the SOMO KC Metro office. Mail or deliver pre-registration forms and the minimum $75 contribution to Special Olympics Missouri Plunge to 9150 E. 41st Terrace, Suite 213, Kansas City MO 64133.
Plunging participants will receive an official Polar Plunge commemorative shirt, bragging rights for freezing your fur off, and a Plunger meal. Participants can also receive incentives for reaching fundraising goals: $250 – Beanie, $500 – Robe, $1,000 – Speaker and $2,000 – Fleece Zip-up jacket and beanie.
SOMO is lucky to have two Plunge Ambassadors helping out with this event. Our Plunge Ambassadors for this year’s Plunge are Lynna Hodgson and Allen Tobin. They are both SOMO athletes, and they have been working for months to help spread awareness of the Plunge!
“I have been a SOMO athlete for 26 years, and I am always excited to help give back to SOMO,” Tobin said. “The KC metro Polar Plunge is one of our biggest fundraisers, and as a Plunge Ambassador, I love helping support the organization that has given me so much.”
Polar Plunge sponsors include: Pipefitters Local Union 533, Epic Electric Service Corp., Bledsoe’s Rentals, Flooring & More, Lee’s Summit Underwater Rescue and Knights of Columbus Council #6919.
For more information about the Polar Plunge, please contact Christina McDonough Hunt, at 816-535-9990 or email hunt@somo.org.
Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO) is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Thousands of athletes participate in 16 Olympic-type sports throughout the state. SOMO provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with their fellow athletes, their family and friends, and communities across Missouri.
SOMO is proud of our financial health, returning 78% of every dollar back to program services. We are privileged to be recognized with these honors: Better Business Bureau A+ Charity Accreditation, Guidestar Gold Level and Charity Navigator 4-star rating. Special Olympics was also recently named Morning Consult’s No. 4 most trusted nonprofit.
Thank you for trusting us with your donations, volunteer time and your goodwill.
Visit Special Olympics Missouri at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
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