Billings News

Takin' a plunge

Posted: Dec 4, 2010 6:02 PM by Drew Trafton~KTVQ News
Updated: Dec 4, 2010 10:19 PM

BILLINGS - Even though it's the holiday season and wintry weather isn't exactly the most ideal for fundraising, one group has worked their way around the problem-with a very popular activity.

A polar plunge, for those who don't know, is when you jump into a frozen lake.

It's a fairly straight forward concept-and hilarious to watch.

The goal of the event was to raise $50,000 for Special Olympics athletes.

As you can imagine, the costs add up when you factor in food, lodging and traveling for various competitions.

105 plungers, comprising 21 teams, raised as much money as they could for their jump.

Although the final tally has yet to be counted, the largest group donation was from Bresnan Communications-- and tallied well over $12,000.

A local radio personality provided commentary and played music while each plunger took turns leaping into the murky, frozen waters of Lake Elmo.

For first time plunger Kurt Rodda, it was just all about raising money for the cause... and the experience of trying something new.

"It was a lot more fun than I expected. It kind of takes your breath away when you first hit that water, but, once you get through that, then it's just cold," said Rodda. "And then it starts to come through and you start to feel it icing through your body."

And that's the point.

"It's freezin' for a reason," said event coordinator Sheryl Shockley."You're only cold for a very short amount of time. You're in and out and it goes for such a good cause."

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Event coordinator Sheryl Shockley says the event raised $35,000 and counting!

Topics: Polar Bare Plunge, Billings, Montana Special Olympics