Branson, MO – The 7th Annual Polar Plunge on Feb. 11 at Branson was a splashing success, raising nearly $24,000 to date.  134 brave men and women from around the area donned costumes and swimwear to take a chilly dip into Table Rock Lake.  Their Reason for Freezin’… the athletes of Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO)! 

 

Online fundraising is still ongoing.  Organizers of the plunge still hope to raise an additional $10,000 to reach the goal of $34,000.  Donations can be made at www.somo.org/bransonplunge.
 
The top individual fundraiser this year was Alan Murray, who rallied his friends, family, and coworkers to contribute $615 to the athletes of SOMO.  Bragging rights for the team that raised the most money went to the “Frozen Dead,” who collected $1,195 altogether.

 

Competition for the Golden Plunger was steep this year.  Participants are encouraged to come in costume and compete for the chance to take home the “golden plunger.”  The plunger for best individual costume went to Cy Bortner, who arrived this year as “PlungeBob.”  The team that won the honor of the golden plunger for their costume theme was the Hillbilly Hooters Girls.
 
This year’s event was held in conjunction with that Branson Police Department and Highway Patrol Troop D.  Presenting sponsors included Best Western, Chateau On The Lake, Gray Line, Bass Pro Shops, Regions Bank, Silver Dollar City, Steve’s Treehouse Event Catering, Still Waters Lakefront Resort, Wal-Mart, 100.5 FM The Wolf, Kanakuk Kamps, Bob Nichols Company, Branson Photo, CenturyLink, Country Mart, Branson Tourism Center, Branson’s IMAX, 100.1 FM KOMC, 106.3 FM KRZK, Ride The Ducks, The Track, Branson Knights of Columbus Council #6470, Great Southern Bank, Ozark Mountain Bank, Anton Quality Construction, and Treasure Lake Resort.
 
For more information about the Polar Plunge, visit www.somo.org/plunge.

 

About Special Olympics Missouri
Special Olympics Missouri is a year-round program of sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. More than 15,000 athletes participate in 21 Olympic-type sports throughout the state.  Special Olympics 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. Visit Special Olympics at www.somo.org. Engage with us on Twitter @somissouri; fb.com/plungemo.