Annual “polar plunge” will be virtual event
By Janet Kanters, Editor
This year marks the 10th year of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Alberta.
This year, the event will be held virtually.
“The safety of our members, participants, and the public is of utmost importance, so making the decision to move the Polar Plunge to virtual-only, while unfortunate, was relatively easy for us,” said Chief Lee Newton, Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) executive council chair. “The Polar Plunge is a cornerstone event for LETR and we want to thank all of our supporters for making the 2021 Polar Plunge a possibility. We want to encourage all Albertans to join us in celebrating our 10th anniversary by taking the plunge for these great athletes.”
Plunge season will begin on Jan. 31, 2021 at 11 a.m., kicking off with a virtual opening ceremony live on Facebook and YouTube, and the event will wrap up on March 13, 2021.
The Polar Plunge challenges anyone to participate in this fundraiser, while helping 140 communities across Alberta. According to the organizers, participants will have the opportunity to have some extra fun with their plunges this year as the sky is the limit when it comes to creativity – whether snow angels, cold buckets of water, or in a kiddie pool in your backyard, the opportunities are almost endless.
“While it is unfortunate that we will not be able to plunge in person, a virtual event gives us the opportunity to reach more individuals looking to participate in the cause,” said Johnny Byrne, Special Olympics Alberta CEO. “It has been an incredible 10 years, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone with all of our supporters and you at our virtual opening ceremony.”
Dedicated fundraisers earn incentives like face masks, towels and bath robes, and they can also qualify for provincial awards if they reach top fundraising status.
In 2020, 590 polar plungers raised $197,000 in support of Special Olympics Alberta. Registration for this year’s event is now open. For more information, visit specialolympics.ca/albertapolarplunge.