By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Organizers are gearing up for a fundraising chill thrill – the seventh annual Polar Plunge to be held Jan. 20.
Taking place at the Sons of Kent Brewing Company for the second year running, the event is the premiere fundraiser for the Special Olympic Ontario School Championship Games, slated to be held in Chatham-Kent on June 10-12 next year.
All funds raised are used to support Special Olympic athletes, defraying costs for traveling, accommodation and food, and associated medals to take part in the games.
At a media announcement held Nov. 13, event chair Chatham-Kent Police Service Sgt. Jason Herder and Sons of Kent co-owner Doug Hunter unveiled plans for the plunge.
Organizers are hoping to beat last year’s tally of $88,500 that saw 150 people take the leap. With in-kind donations added in, the grand total came to $104,000.
C-K’s event was third in the province for fundraising, bested only by Peel Region and Windsor.
“Our goal for 2024 is to meet that number or exceed it,” Herder said, stating the plunge has its sights set on a $50,000 goal.
Along with participants brave enough to jump into an ice-cold pool, the free outdoor festival will feature food, music, fire pits and fun activities for families. Prizes will be handed out to top fundraisers and those who come decked out in the best costumes.
“Last year was magnificent,” said Hunter, noting Polar Plunge 2022 was among the largest events to ever take place at the brewery.
“Once again at the Sons of Kent, we’re happy to host the event,” Hunter said. “We’re a very community-driven business and it’s great to be part of it.”
Herder said relocating the games to the craft brewery was a good move, contributing to the best-ever plunge, noting that after two years of virtual campaigns because of the pandemic, people were “really excited” to get back to an in-person event.
The change of venue was “huge for us,” Herder explained, noting it’s a great collaboration.
“One of the things that we always thought we needed was more space logistically,” Herder said, adding it was time to “grow into a bigger home.”
The fact that the School Championship Games will be held in Chatham-Kent for the first time since 1997 is another huge driver, Herder said.
The municipality is supporting the games with a $25,000 contribution, approved by council earlier this month.
C-K staff and administration are also helping co-ordinate sites for the games and with transportation. Herder said alternative indoor sites have to be on the ready in the event of inclement weather.
People can sign up to take the chilly dip at polarplunge.ca by clicking on Chatham-Kent. Folks can pay an individual registration fee of $40 but that fee can be waived by raising more than $100. Corporate sponsorships are also available at gold, silver and bronze levels.
Herder said C-K’s Polar Plunge is the first to take place in Ontario each year, “setting the bar” for other plunges.
There’s a “come catch us” healthy competition when it comes to fundraising, he said.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Herder added. “There’s a lot of like-minded individuals that just want to raise as much money as they can for Special Olympics.”
It costs an estimated $400,000 to host the summer games, with 800 out-of-town athletes expected to attend. Athletes will be housed at Ridgetown University of Guelph campus, where bocce ball and basketball competitions will take place. Track and field events will be held at Chatham-Kent Secondary School, while floor ball and soccer will be hosted at St. Clair College.
