Polar Plunge hits fundraising goal and more for Special Olympics
Published 12:10 am Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Debbie Martin celebrates making it to the lifeguard with a thumbs up before finishing the Polar Plunge.
Trophies were given out for the organizations and individuals that raised the most for the fundraiser. The Knights of Columbus raised the most money and the Salisbury Elks Lodge had the most participants. In the schools division, East Rowan Junior Civitans had the most participants and raised the most.
Members of the Civitan Club compete during a dance contest, which the DJ ruled they won.
ROWAN COUNTY — Although the surrounding days may have been rainy, the weather cleared up on Saturday just in time for the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Rowan County to go off without a hitch.
In fact, the weather might have ended up being a little too perfect. According to Rowan Rescue Squad personnel, who served as the lifeguards for the event, the temperature in that stretch of High Rock Lake ended up being 51 degrees at 1 p.m. on Saturday, when the plunge was scheduled to start.
While the plunge may not have been entirely polar, the water temperature was not the point. The event, hosted at the Salisbury Elks Family River Park, serves as a fundraiser, and all of the money raised goes towards making all of the Special Olympics events possible, said Cynthia Manduca, who serves as co-coordinator for the Rowan County Special Olympics program along with Lea Smith.
Participants who raised $25 were given the opportunity to take part in the plunge and anyone who raised $50 was given a T-shirt. Every dollar raised went towards helping the Special Olympics athletes, so many participants went beyond even the T-shirt requirement. Nathan Drye was recognized as the individual who raised the most money and Debbie Martin was recognized as the individual who raised the most money for their team. The event’s website lists Drye as raising $475 and Martin as raising $1,161. Taking second place behind Martin was her husband, Kenneth Martin, who raised $617.
This year’s target for the fundraiser was $10,000. After the contributions from individuals and teams and the funds raised in the 50/50 raffle were added up, Manduce said the Polar Plunge raised a grand total of $10,923.
The event also offered music with a live DJ, a costume contest, a raffle with prize giveaways and hot dogs for lunch. An impromptu dance contest between the Salisbury Elks Lodge participants and the Civitan participants was held, which the DJ announced the Civitans won.
Manduca reiterated she appreciated the volunteers who assist with the Special Olympics, including the ones who helped make Saturday’s event possible.
