Join the ATOs at Millikin for a Polar Plunge!

Be a fan of brrr-avery! More Polar Plungers are wanted for the March 6 Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge into Lake Decatur, at noon at The Beach House, Nelson Park to support Special Olympics Illinois Central/Area 10, serving Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities in six counties. The March 20 plunge at Lincoln Lake also supports the Area 10 program.

All Polar Plungers are required to collect a minimum of $75 in donations. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. and last-minute Plungers are welcome. People are encouraged to come in costume and to form teams. Each team member must also raise the minimum of $75 in donations; all team members’ individual fundraising totals will be merged to form a combined team total. Statewide, teams are placed into divisions based on size and are awarded prizes for the most money raised. Every Plunger receives an official Polar Plunge sweatshirt. There are also incentive items for raising more money and three grand prizes including a three-night trip to Allegro Playacar in Riviera Maya, Mexico, provided by Apple Vacations, “America’s Favorite Vacation Company.” The after-plunge party will be held at The Beach House. Lunch is free for Plungers and $6 for adult non-Plungers and $3 children 12 and under. See complete directions on the Special Olympics Illinois website: . www.soill.org

Plungers can register for the Plunge at www.plungeillinois.com and also create their own fundraising page, or they can register by contacting Joanie Keyes at 217-428-9255. Last minute Plungers are welcome to register the morning of the plunge. Decatur’s Thrive Magazine will be presenting the costume contest award and featuring the winners in their April addition.

Plunger Teams include: St. Teresa Chilly Dawgs, The Pony Plungers, The Macon County Sherriff’s Dept., Richland Community College, Alpha Tau Omega of Millikin

The Lake Decatur Plunge Committee includes: Jill Goatley, Ken & Sheryl Frye, Julie Bradford, Ken Davis, Jeff Schiebly, Bill Wood, Jim Comerford and Dave Martin.

Statewide Presenting Polar Plunge Sponsor: GEICO

Lake Decatur Plunge Sponsors include: Beach House, WAND-TV, The Party, The Fox, WEJT, and Talk 101.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run is the single largest year-round fund-raising event benefiting Special Olympics Illinois. This intrastate relay and its various fundraising projects have two goals: to raise money and increase public awareness for the athletes of Special Olympics. Each year, more than 3,000 officers in Illinois run more than 1,500 miles carrying the Flame of Hope through the streets of their hometowns and deliver it to the State Summer Games in Normal in June. Special Olympics Illinois is a year- round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics programs are now in 180 countries with 3.1 million athletes.