EDITORIAL: Congratulations to plungers, organizers for another successful polar plunge
On Saturday, 431 students and community members came together to take part in a tradition unlike any other at Central Michigan University.
Collectively, Mount Pleasant’s polar plungers raised more than $72,000 at the Michigan Law Enforcement Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan.
It was the largest Polar Plunge in terms of participation across the state of Michigan.
To everyone who donated and participated, congratulations.
Spread the word about your experience and encourage your friends to take the plunge with you next year.
You were part of one of the most successful charitable efforts members of our campus community team up for each year.
You were a part of history, too.
SOMI’s connection to Mid-Michigan is deeply-rooted. The nonprofit’s headquarters have been in Mount Pleasant for more than 40 years.
The annual SOMI Summer Games bring thousands of people to campus each year.
Local restaurants and hotels benefit from the extra business and the few students on campus during the summer get to interact with some of the nicest people you could meet.
Now a winter semester tradition, Mount Pleasant’s polar plunge has grown quickly since its inception in 2007. Roughly $18,000 was raised that year.
Nearly a decade later, the plunge has raised $1 million statewide each of the last three years. Last year’s plunge was the third largest in the state.
The statewide Polar Plunge fundraising effort makes up a large part of SOMI’s roughly $7.5 million budget.
One of SOMI’s most successful programs was started at CMU – Unified Sports.
This program pairs college students with special athletes for competition in intramural games.
This barrier-breaking idea has now spread across the state, but will always be remembered as a Mount Pleasant original.
CMU’s dip in the freezing water is the “hometown plunge” of Special Olympics Michigan, organizers say. Money raised here helps special athletes across the state.
You should be a part of that every year you live here.
A big reason for the impressive showing recently came due to a change in location.
Until 2014, the plunge took place at the Rose Pond. After diving in, plungers had to run, usually dripping wet in the freezing cold, back to a changing room several yards away after taking a dip.
Now, participants can scamper to shelter through the Wayside front door, just feet away and enjoy an ice cold beer or hot chocolate.
The annual Polar Plunge has become a community event. Business leaders and CMU officials are often present and many participate.
Many special athletes attend, too.
This is a unique way to come face-to-face with the people your donations are benefiting.
They appreciate what you’ve done for them. Thanks again for making the annual CMU Polar Plunge one of the best events in town each year.
We’ll see you again next year.
