KELSEYVILLE — Polar Plunge participants will take a dip into Clear Lake”s cold water with hopes people will dip into their pockets.
The Polar Plunge is an annual fundraiser for more than 100 Lake County Special Olympics athletes.
The event will take place Feb. 23 at the Lakeside County Park, located at 1985 Park Drive in Kelseyville.
The Special Olympics provides free-of-charge sports training and competition opportunities, such as basketball and bowling, throughout the year for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
Jumpers can set up personal web page by visiting www.ipolarplunge.com and selecting Kelseyville.
Those who do not want to take the plunge but still want to raise money can register as a “chicken.”
Plungers must raise a minimum of $125 in donations, which will earn them a hooded sweatshirt and free admittance to the post-plunge party, which usually costs about $5, according to Buchholz. More incentive prizes are provided at $300, $600 and $2,500. People registered as chickens receive the same rewards.
Last year, the plunge raised $18,000, and it is the only source of funding for the Lake County Special Olympics for the year, according to organizer Steve Buchholz.
There will also be a costume contest before the jump. Buchholz said people have dressed up in outfits such as pirates and old-time fishermen in past years.
“It”s all about having fun and raising money for the program,” he said.
Registration takes place from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., followed by the costume contest and the plunge is scheduled to take place at noon.
After, the post-plunge party will take place at the Kelseyville Lions Club, located at 4335 Sylar Lane.
Donations can be mailed to Lake County Special Olympics P.O. Box 94 Lakeport, CA 95453.
For more information, call Steve or Peggy Buchholz at 279-4280 or email at stevenpeg@att.net.
