Big Bear, Ca, February 1, 2012, 5:00pm – Big Bear Lake will talk the plunge this year, with its very first Polar Plunge on March 10th. The event, which is done all over the world, sees hundreds of people stripping down to their swimsuits in the dead of winter, and taking a plunge into frigid lake or ocean temperatures. The Big Bear Lake Resort Association’s Dan Mckernan told KBHR that although the temperatures are cold, the plunge is for a good purpose. Organizers are now seeking fearless men, women and children to sign-up for the inaugural Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge, which helps sponsor year-round sports training programs and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Inland Empire Region of Special Olympics Southern California. All proceeds from the event give people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, accomplishments, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Individuals who take the Polar Plunge challenge are asked to raise at least $50 through pledges from family, friends and co-workers. Participants who reach this goal will get an official Polar Plunge t-shirt. Special Olympics supporters who prefer to stay out of the water can opt to register as a “Chicken.” They receive an “I’m too Chicken to Plunge” t-shirt, which helps raise money for the Special Olympics charity. The inaugural event will take place in Big Bear Lake at Meadow Park on March 10th. For more information go to www.sosc.org/bigbearplunge.
