Supporters of Special Olympics make annual Polar Bear Plunge

See video of Polar Bear Plunge

Between spectators, plungers and volunteers, about 500 people were in attendance at Saturday's Polar Bear Plunge, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, at Trail of Tears State Park's Lake Boutin.

Almost 30 volunteers were on hand to keep things running smoothly. They included two firefighters submerged chest-high at the rear of the roped-in area of the lake, Cape County Private Ambulance workers, paramedics and Department of Natural Resources rangers.

The water temperature was 36 degrees, and the air temperature was 46 degrees with little wind.

"You'd think it would be a shock diving into the cold water, but in the eight-year history of Special Olympics holding this event there has been no reported medical difficulty," said Penny Williams of the Area Management Team for Special Olympics Missouri.

Saturday's Special Olympics of Southeast Missouri's second Polar Bear Plunge had 127 plungers this year, up from 82 plungers last year, according to Williams. She said there were more men than women both years, but that more women participated this year.

Ten Special Olympics athletes were ready with towels as plungers exited the water.

"We had 10 athletes plunging for their own cause," Williams said. "It's neat that so many people came to play a part and are really here for the cause."

The event was organized into 13 groups of 10 battling the cold water at a time. Several people were sent back to the water to fulfill the requirement that they be completely submerged. After each plunge announcements were made that participants should visit warm-up tents and, if needed, ask for medical assistance.

Some teams attempted to draw attention with creative names. Others tried to make themselves stand out with boogie boards or pairs of battery-operated lights strapped to their chests. Members of the the Smurfs were another attention-getting team.

The Saxony Crusading Icecubes, a high school team that raised $550, even had a dog, named Lynyrd, who took the plunge.

Alicea Mahnken, 16, of Altenburg, Mo., knew she was in the minority, being the only female on the team. With goose bumps galore and maybe some second thoughts, she commented on perhaps why that was. "Girls are usually smarter than boys and don't go in the freezing cold water." She said the cause was a good one and planned on having fun.

Teammates Ben Skelton, 18, and Ben Meyr, 18, plunged last year. Meyr said the water temperature was 32 degrees and they had to crack the ice. "This is nothing compared to last year."

Dave Hardesty of Cape Girardeau has never done a plunge. "I always like a challenge. They say it's good getting out of the comfort zone," he said. He contacted 25 to 40 people and had $770 to donate, with checks still coming in. "This was a good way to find out how many people wish you'd jump in a lake," Hardesty said. "I would've doubled my contributions if I'd e-mailed my enemies."

A team of seven from Notre Dame Regional High School, three teachers and four students, raised $532. English teacher Ann Welker raised $60 on her own. She said the only reason she was doing it was because it was for a good cause. The team funds were raised at a school dress-down day.

Rules say participants may wear anything but a wet suit and must wear shoes and at least a swimsuit. The minimum age to plunge is 14 at all locations except Lake St. Louis, which requires a minimum age of 16, and the Strut at the Lake of the Ozarks, which has no age minimum.

At Saturday's last count, the donation total was $30,472.50, with sponsorships still coming in. To make a donation, visit www.somo.org/pbp.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133