Special Olympics Alberta’s biggest fundraiser of the year is going virtual for 2021 and is hoping to see Cochranites get creative as we support our local athletes.

Chelsea Fidler,  Fund Development Manager for Special Olympics Alberta says this is a huge year for The Polar Plunge “2021 is an exciting year because it does mark the 10th anniversary of a polar plunge here in Alberta. We are starting everything off with what we're calling our virtual launch party on January 31 which is kind of our opening ceremonies.”

The opening ceremonies will premiere on Facebook and Youtube featuring speakers and live music.

Fidler says that with the event going virtual this year, the sky is the limit on how participants want to raise funds. “You can basically do the Polar Plunge your way using as much creativity as you can muster. You can do it any time between now and March 13, it's pretty wide open. We've had some folks that are doing, you know, more like an ice bucket challenge, dumping some cold water, or having a friend or family member that's in their bubble dump that water on them. Whipping out the kiddie pool from the garage and diving into that. And pretty much anything goes, snow angels, even snowball fights.”

Last year, $197,000 in support of Special Olympics Alberta was raised by 590 Polar Plungers “The funds stay in Alberta and they go to support over 3300 athletes that we have here. We have communities all across Alberta that offer special programming and while we can't do it in person right now, we are still thriving with that virtual programming.”

Registration for the 10th annual Polar Plunge is now open.