The twenty eighth Annual Particular Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge went distant resulting from anticipated excessive climate situations on Saturday, February 4th. However, a whole bunch of plungers raised funds and created their very own chilly actions in assist of packages that enrich the lives of a group of over 5,000 Vermonters. The Penguin Plunge is the most important fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont (SOVT), and this yr over $525,000 was raised by over 1,000 contributors between the Burlington, Cool Colleges, and Southern Vermont plunges to assist SOVT initiatives and programming.
Fundraisers had been inspired to point out their assist for SOVT by plunging remotely and recording or taking photographs of their inventive options to the same old in-person plunge into Lake Champlain. The 2023 Penguin Plunge will culminate in a Premiere Get together on March twenty first at Foam Brewers, the place a manufacturing of all distant plunges shall be performed for the very first time. The compilation produced by The Media Manufacturing unit will even be made out there to view on SOVT’s YouTube channel.
“We’re so grateful for the assist of our group, who proceed to make this occasion a hit yr after yr,” mentioned Particular Olympics Vermont President and CEO, Missy Siner. “Our plungers, sponsors, companions, volunteers and donors embraced the shift to a distant plunge by persevering with to boost funds and consciousness for our group, demonstrating their dedication to constructing a extra inclusive future for Vermont.”
Williston Central College led the way in which as the highest fundraising crew of the Cool Colleges Penguin Plunge, breaking its highschool counterpart’s 9-year streak. The 67-member crew raised over $16,000. For the fifth yr in a row, the Union Mutual Popsicles had been the highest fundraising crew of the Burlington Plunge, with their 45-member crew elevating an astounding $104,006.
The Southern Vermont Penguin Plunge passed off in-person on March eleventh on the Dana L Thompson Memorial Park in Manchester. Near 100 group members from Manchester and neighboring cities raised over $16,000. Plungers ran via streams of water from a Manchester Fireplace Division hearth truck in assist of Particular Olympics Vermont.
All funds raised via the Penguin Plunge assist SOVT’s athletic coaching and competitors alternatives for each group and school-based packages, free well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont. As SOVT athlete chief, Bennett Townley says, “Particular Olympics packages have made a optimistic impression in my life, permitting me to really feel extra included locally, make new associates, and enhance my bodily and emotional well-being.”
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been attainable with out the assist of our many sponsors, presenting sponsor Xfinity; gold sponsors, Group Financial institution, GlobalFoundries, and Union Mutual; silver sponsors, Cabot Creamery Co-Operative, Darn Powerful Vermont, and Northfield Financial savings Financial institution; media sponsors, WCAX, Star 92.9, 95 Triple X, WVMT, The Wolf, and Media Manufacturing unit; bronze sponsors, Foam Brewers, UVM Well being Community, and Mascoma Financial institution. Plus, extra sponsors Allen Pool & Spas, Curtis Lumber, Resort Vermont, Hilton Burlington, R.Okay. Miles, Casella Waste Techniques, Dorr Oil, Hub Worldwide, H.N. Williams Retailer, and Mack Molding.
Particular Olympics Vermont can be grateful for the assist of our many companions together with Ben & Jerry’s, Greatest Purchase, Burlington Telecom, Burlington Parks & Recreation, Burlington Police & Fireplace Departments, Church Road Market, Mansfield Corridor, Pete’s RV Heart, Starbucks, Supersounds Leisure, Twincraft, and our companions for the Southern Vermont Penguin Plunge—Burr and Burton Academy and Sam’s Wooden Fired Pizza Co. Thanks to everybody who makes this occasion attainable yearly via offering time, vitality, in-kind donations, sponsorships, and extra. For extra info please go to PenguinPlunge.org.
About Particular Olympics Vermont
Particular Olympics Vermont is a part of a world motion that works year-round to foster the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with mental disabilities by utilizing the facility of sport to showcase their items and talents. For extra info, go to www.specialolympicsvermont.org.
