People prepare to be sub-zero heroes, Polar Plunge set

Fundraising for Special Olympics is underway with teams collecting pledges for the SubZero SuperHero Polar Plunge, scheduled for Nov. 26, Thanksgiving weekend.

The Plunge is scheduled to happen the same day as Havre's Community Tree lighting, both at Town Square.

Registration will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. and participants will start plunging into the icy water at 2 p.m. Anyone can plunge. All it takes is $125 in pledges and "nerves of steel," a news release of the event says.

Mandy Hansen, public coordinator for the event for the last eight years, has taken the plunge before.

"I plunged once and never again. The water is so cold it literally stops you in your tracks," she said. "I couldn't even breath."

Sgt. Ryan Pearson of the Havre Police Department, who helps coordinate the law enforcement part of the plungers, said three plungers from the police department will jump in, some people from Border Patrol, and he is working on getting officers from the sheriff's office and Montana Highway Patrol. This year, Pearson said, he's also trying to get one or two FBI agents to jump.

"I'm not sure they're going to be up to the cold water," he said.

Hansen said proceeds will go to pay for Special Olympians' traveling expenses, as well as awards and uniforms. Pearson said 60 percent of the proceeds will go to supporting the Havre area athletes and the other 40 percent will go to special olympians throughout the state.

People who want to register for the plunge can pick up registration forms at Fivehead's, the Havre Police Department, Havre Hardware and Home, Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and Havre Middle School. Donations can also be made at http://www.somt.org. Donations can also be mailed to P.O. BOX 2103, Havre, MT, 59501.