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Polar Plunge Helps Special Olympics Oregon Work Toward Solvency

Portland, OR. Special Olympics Oregon organizers are thanking participants, including law enforcement officials, who took part in the 2019 Polar Plunge. The Special Olympics Oregon team is still totaling donations from all 5 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon events. (So far the Portland Plunge alone has raised $198,116.) The organization is still working to get back on sound financial footing after overspending on events left the group $2.5 million in debt. That debt prompted some hard decisions. Summer, fall and winter statewide games were canceled. Well-known fundraisers, like Bite of Oregon and the Governors’ Gold Awards, were called off as well. However, at the 2019 Portland Polar Plunge, spirits were high. Organizers are hoping fundraisers like the Plunge can help turn things around. Here are some of the photos from the event: (Photos credit Peter Van Houten Peter Van Houten Photography)

From Special Olympics Oregon:

The heart and soul of Special Olympics Oregon begins in the hometowns of our athletes. While SOOR is rebuilding a sustainable organization that will provide Olympic-type year-round sports and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities for decades to come, we had to make the difficult, but responsible decision to temporarily suspend regional and state competitions.

However, our mission continues to live in communities across the state as our athletes train and engage with their friends and teammates, which is being funded through locally-raised dollars. Your participation and fundraising for Polar Plunge directly impacts athlete experiences at this local level, as $25 from every plunger goes directly to the Local Program in the plunger’s community!

The Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations, and businesses to support Special Olympics Oregon athletes by jumping, walking or slowly crawling into the frigid and icy Oregon waters. The event is open to the public, and all spectators are welcome free of charge.

For more information about the 2020 event, please contact Special Olympics Oregon at 503-248-0600, polarplunge@soor.org.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.