Low temps but high spirits top Lincoln Polar Plunge

[March 18, 2013]  Joanie Keyes, the area director for Special Olympics, is overjoyed with the results of the Polar Plunge at Lincoln Lakes on Sunday. The funds raised from the Polar Plunge will benefit Special Olympics Illinois Central/Area 10, serving Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities in four counties. This year was the seventh year to see the Polar Plunge.

"I want to thank everyone for all of their effort to make this a great event," Keyes said.

The projected goal of the event was to raise $30,000 with 200 participants. Those goals were blown out of the water, so to speak, as 204 people plunged into 36-degree water. Combined, the total amount of money donated, including $1,100 in sales of lunch and T-shirts, came to $49,384.37. Of that total, $7,236 was raised by individual participants who were not on a team.

Ryan Curry was very pleased with this year's event success as well. Curry took a moment to congratulate the Illinois Special Olympics women's basketball team, who took first place at a state competition over the weekend.

"That is what this work here is all about," said Curry.

The following teams received special recognition in this year's Polar Plunge supporting Special Olympics:

• Most money raised by a team with fewer than five people

  • Pony Plungers (of Decatur), $2,150

  • Adam Cheatham, $835

  • Shock and Thaw, $445

• Most money raised by a team of five to 15 people

  • SOILL Board Backers, $10,920

  • Lynx Won't Sink (Lincoln College), $1,567

  • Splash for Cash, $1,155

• Most money raised by a team with 15-plus people

  • Team Lexi, $5,862

  • Trojans: Lincoln Junior High, $5,178

  • Team Curry, $2,027

• Team who recruited the most plungers

  • Trojans: Lincoln Junior High, 30

  • Team Lexi, 28

  • Team Curry, 21

• Best costume

  • Farmers Bank

  • Team Army

• Oldest plunger

  • Mike Fak

• Spirit Award

  • Team Lexi

• Honorary Plunger Award

  • Lynx Won't Sink (Lincoln College; they will plunge first next year)

• Flat-screen TV, given to a student plunger 18 years or younger who raised a minimum of $75

  • Katie Novosad

After the awards were presented, Keyes encouraged everyone to come back again next year and bring newcomers to participate as well.

The statewide presenting Polar Plunge sponsor is GEICO. Lincoln Plunge sponsors were Lincoln Plunge sponsors were Carlton Holdings, Knights of Columbus, Lincoln Courier, Lincoln Daily News, Logan County Emergency Management Agency, Logan County Herald., Wal-Mart, West Lincoln-Broadwell School, and  WLCN 96.3 radio.

[By DEREK HURLEY]