07 Feb 2022 Fun for a cause: Greenbrier’s Polar Plunge raises money for Special Olympics

Greenbrier’s Polar Plunge, benefitting Arkansas Special Olympics Area 17, will be held Feb. 19 at Woolly Hollow State Park in Greenbrier. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., parades and prizes will start at 11:30 a.m., and participants will plunge at noon. 

Area 17 consists of Faulkner, Van Buren, Conway, Perry and Pope Counties. They sponsor sports competitions for people with intellectual disabilities and Polar Plunge proceeds help cover the cost of equipment, hotel rooms uniforms, and other expenses. 

“We also have 22 coaches and athletes going to national games in June representing Arkansas in Orlando, Fla.,” said Event Chair Brenda Dowdy. “We don’t want any athletes to be out any money. Our goal is to bring people with intellectual disabilities into the mainstream of society in Arkansas under conditions where they are accepted, respected, and given the opportunity to become positive citizens!”

There will be a costume contest and Cool Church and Cool School traveling trophies will be awarded. Raffle tickets are earned as participants raise money. The Grand Prize raffle drawing will be held at the end of the plunge season and three winners will receive $1,000 each. At the event, one Instant Winner will receive $250. It is a $50 minimum donation per plunger. All participants receive a t-shirt. “The more money you raise, the more raffle tickets you receive which increases the prizes you can win,” Dowdy said.

You can begin the process at specialolympicsarkansas.org/polar-plunge.html and click on Feb. 19 – Greenbrier.

“It’s a lot of fun — come out and join us. We are freezing for a reason!” Dowdy said. Contact her with questions at 501.450.0395.