225 participants brrraved the winter weather at the 2016 RVA Plunge Winter Fest in Richmond on February 27th. Plungers not only celebrated a COOL $58,000 raised for Special Olympics Virginia, but also a brand new event location at The Shops at Willow Lawn. In addition to the main event Saturday, participants and fans enjoyed a Scavenger Hunt, ice sculptures, a giant inflatable slide, music by DJ Saucee, a cool new costume contest and a Plunge After-Party at American Taproom.
“The ‘coolest’ thing about the Polar Plunge is that it is a very unifying event,” said Rick Jeffrey, Special Olympics Virginia President. “We are all here for the same reason. Nobody is limited in their ability to contribute to this amazing community event. We are ALL CHAMPIONS TOGETHER!”
Special thanks to the many groups who helped us raise our cool to whole new level, including:
- 92 teachers, students and parents raised more than $12,400 during the Cool School and Coollegiate Challenge. Participating schools included All Saints Catholic School, Monacan High School, Monacan Middle School, Tomahawk Creek Middle School, St. Catherine’s School, Lynchburg College and the University of Richmond.
- Chesterfield Police Department topped the team leaderboard with more than $7300 raised.
- Blake Saunders from Henrico P&P raised $3764, topping the individual fundraising podium and claiming some sweet Polar Plunge shades!
The RVA Plunge was presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Virginia, 103.7 Play, Classic Rock 96.5, Hot 106.1, Star 100.9, K95, NBC12 and The Shops at Willow Lawn. Gold level Polar Plunge sponsors included Hardees, Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Davis & Green Electrical.
This event is one of four Polar Plunge® Winter Fests in Virginia. The largest – now in its 24th year – took place in Virginia Beach Feb. 5-6 and raised $1,040,000. A Polar Plunge also took place Saturday, Feb. 27, in Northern Virginia at Tim’s Rivershore Restaurant & Crabhouse, raising $100,000. The New River Polar Plunge® Winter Festival at Bisset Park in the New River Valley originally scheduled for Feb. 27 was rescheduled to March 19.
