Annual Havre Polar Plunge set for Saturday

The annual SubZero Super Hero Polar Plunge is happening once again, Saturday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Havre’s Town Square on the 300 Block of First Street.

“The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraising event that is put on cooperatively by the Special Olympics Montana and the Law Enforcement Torch Run,” Special Olympics Montana Development Director Tom Hazen said.  “The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a long-standing organization that’s made up of law enforcement personnel all over the country and it does numerous events to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics and its mission.”

He added that the Polar Plunge is one of the longest-running fundraisers that law enforcement does for the organization, brings people together in teams to jump in a big icy pool of water to raise funds for Special Olympics.

Money raised during the plunge, divided 60/40 he said, adding that 60 percent of the funds go to the local community organization of Special Olympics and the remainder to the statewide organization to help put on other events throughout the year like the Summer Games or Winter Games and more.

“The real joy comes from the enthusiasm that the local communities are showing for Special Olympics and for the mission of Special Olympics,” Hazen said. “We have 13 of these occurring all over the state and some of them are bigger, some of them are smaller, and they are always well-attended, and it’s always a blast. Everybody always has fun and it’s a big deal. It’s done with full knowledge the event is benefitting one of the great missions that is out there, and it’s just a win-win for everybody involved.”

Special Olympics Montana Mandy Patriarche vice president of Outreach said the mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

People interested in participating in the plunge or who would like to donate can visit the Havre Polar Plunge website at https://www.classy.org/campaign/subzero-plunge/c245510 . 

“If you can participate in this event, jump on it,” Hazen said.