(By RYAN SKAITH)
Area residents who would like to take the plunge into icy cold water in order to benefit Special Olympics Missouri have the opportunity to do so in February.
There are several Polar Plunge events throughout the region, including Kansas City, Chillicothe, Kirksville and Maryville.
Each year, the Buchannan County Sheriff’s Department travels to Maryville to take part in the fundraiser. Sheriff Bill Puett says, “Right now we have put together a four-person to go up and take the Polar Plunge.”
Special Olympics Missouri supports about 12,000 Special Olympic athletes throughout The Show Me state.
Puett says the sheriff’s department looks forward to helping out. “Anything we can do to help Special Olympics is extremely important. We try to help where we can and if anyone would like to donate and help Special Olympic athletes, its greatly appreciated.”
The Maryville Polar Plunge takes place Feb. 21 at Mozingo Lake. To register or donate, visit here.
Participants are encouraged to wear costumes to the event. Kansas City will host the plunge Jan. 31, while the Chillicothe Polar Plunge takes place Feb. 7. There is another event in Kirksville on Feb. 28.
The Polar Plunge is the biggest fundraising event of the year for Special Olympics.
