Community Corner

Plunge in the Park: Make a Splash for the Special Olympics [VIDEO]

Registration is open for the Dec. 11 Plunge in the Park.

Blocks of ice were chopped on Great Hollow Lake last winter to clear an area of frigid water for 50 "plungers" during Monroe's first ever Plunge in the Park, a fundraiser for the Connecticut Special Olympics. The Monroe Police Department and the Special Olympics raised nearly $3,500 for the sporting event.

This year, the two organizations invite people to run, jump, or dive into Great Hollow Lake on Sunday, Dec. 11, to make this year's Plunge a great success.

Not everyone has to brave the cold water to help the cause. Last year's event also included sponsors, spectators and 20 volunteers.

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All who are age 8 and older are invited to take the plunge and dash into Great Hollow Lake in the company of friends to support local Special Olympics athletes. Participants should wear a costume, team jersey or bathing suit. Towels and water shoes are recommended. Event T-shirts will be provided.

Those who are younger than eight or who do not wish to plunge can still participate by donning a unique, one-of-a-kind "I'm a Chicken!" T-shirt. A minimum donation of $50 per plunger or "chicken bystander" and signed waiver form are required of each participant. (If a plunger is under 18, a parent or guardian's signature is also required.) Spectators are welcome.

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Preregister online at soct.convio.net/monroeplunge2011 as an individual or as part of a team with friends, relatives, colleagues, or classmates. To request a registration packet or find out more, contact Debbie Horne, Director of Development, SOCT at 203-380-9990 ext. 604 or via e-mail at debbieh@soct.org.

Also, become a fan on Facebook under "Monroe Plunge Connecticut." Check-in on the day of the event will begin at 11 a.m. and the plunge will take place promptly at 1 p.m. Preregistration is strongly encouraged, but same day registrants are also welcome.

In addition to the excitement and fun of the plunge, local law enforcement, firefighters and town officials will provide volunteer assistance and participate to make this event possible. And, divers will remain in the water during the plunge to ensure everyone’s safety.

Sponsors, who would like to make either a donation of $250 or gifts in kind and be recognized with a listing on the T-shirt all the plungers will be wearing, are being sought for the event, as are donated items, food and beverages, and gift certificates from area businesses for the prize drawing that will be held that day. To help, contact Sgt. Peter Howard, Monroe Police Department at (203) 452-4830 ext. 1313 or via email at phoward@monroectpolice.com.

For more than 15 years, the Monroe Police Department has partnered with Special Olympics by taking part in events such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Tip-A-Cop to raise donations to help provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These donations provide continuing opportunities for Connecticut athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Through their participation in Special Olympics, individuals demonstrate that there are no limits to human potential or the human spirit. In Connecticut, more than 6,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate and more than 50 competitions are held annually. To learn more about Special Olympics, visit www.soct.org or call 203-380-9990.


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