Special Olympics Northern California to Host Santa Cruz Polar Plunge on March 11

Special Olympics Northern California will host the annual Santa Cruz Polar Plunge fundraiser beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Plungers – which have included individuals, companies, law enforcement, families, schools and organizations – are asked to raise a minimum of $100 each to participate and take the chilly dive for charity. Registration includes a Polar Plunge long-sleeve shirt and admission into the Post-Plunge Party. The event will also include entertainment; games such as a frozen T-shirt contest and snowball-eating contest; refreshments; and awards for top fundraisers and best costumes. Supporters not up to the plunge itself may also raise money as a “chicken” and receive the shirt and admittance into the Post-Plunge Party. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.ipolarplunge.com.

All proceeds from the Santa Cruz Polar Plunge benefit Special Olympics Northern California to continue to showcase the capabilities and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Along with providing year-round free sports and competition programs to nearly 20,000 athletes, Special Olympics Northern California encourages education through Unified Sports and the Schools Partnership Program; and is committed to improving the health and well-being of athletes through a variety of screenings and programs. Last year’s Santa Cruz Polar Plunge featured 169 Plungers and more than $42,000 raised for Special Olympics Northern California.

The Santa Cruz Polar Plunge is sponsored by Aerotek, Coca-Cola, Law Enforcement Torch Run® and TEKsystems.