Jumping into the freezing waters of Boomer Lake makes raising money for Oklahoma’s Special Olympics athletes fun, said event organizer Jennifer Lightle.
Lightle is one of many Oklahoma law enforcement officers and employees sponsoring the ninth annual Polar Plunge from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Boomer Lake.
“If you’re a fan of fun, you’re a fan of the Polar Plunge,” Lightle said.
The Stillwater plunge is one of seven, statewide Special Olympics Oklahoma plunges this year, according to the organization’s Web site.
Special Olympics Oklahoma encourages groups and people of all ages to take the plunge, or come out to watch and offer their support, Lightle said.
Nearly 500 plungers raised about $122,000 statewide last year to benefit Special Olympics athletes and games, Lightle said.
This year she hopes to double the number of plungers to 1,000.
Plungers must raise at least $50 each to participate and receive a free T-shirt. Those who raise more than $50 can receive items like coffee mugs and beach towels, and can win prizes for contests, such as “Best Costume” and “Top Fundraising Group,” according to the Special Olympics Oklahoma Web site.
Those interested in plunging can register online at www.specialolympicsoklahoma.org, or during the one-hour registration period from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. the day of the plunge.
Local law enforcement officers, one of the groups participating this year, raised nearly $26,000 during last year’s plunge, said Steve Burrows, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer.
Although costumes aren’t required, Burrows said the participating officers enjoy dressing up to themes.
This year, several officers from the Stillwater and OSU police departments, deputies from Payne Country Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are dressing up like characters from Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” Burrows said.
Capt. Ryan McCaghren of the Stillwater Police Department is plunging as Prince Charming, and Lt. Leon Jones of the OSU Police Department is plunging as Snow White, Burrows said, who plans to plunge as Bashful, the dwarf.
“Last year, we decided to do the Village People,” Burrows said. “I was ‘Speedo Boy.’”
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