Portland, February 7, 2016. Thinking about taking the plunge? Go for it! As a polar “plunger” you register to participate in one of the five plunges around the state. Then you raise a minimum of $50 in pledges from friends and family. On plunge day you run or jump into the water and get out as fast as you can. You decide how far you want to go in. It’s all done for fun and to raise money for a great cause. The Corvallis Plunge is excited to welcome back some returning OSU sororities and fraternities: Delta Gamma OSU, Kappa Kappa Gamma~Oregon State University, Chi Theta Phi, & Oregon State Phi Kappa Psi.
Do you have what it takes to be a SUPER Plunger? This crazy group raises $3000 each to earn the privilege of plunging every hour for 24 straight hours. It’s an elite bunch, but they’re always looking for new members.
The Sweet Home Police Department and the Albany Police Department are tied for the largest teams to take the Plunge on February 13th in Corvallis.
The Corvallis Polar Plunge has some other veteran teams returning in 2016 including the Willamette Roller Derby/Sick Town Derby Dames, West Albany High School & Polk Smurfs.
The top fundraiser for 2015 was Alicia Lynch. She was a Super Plunger and raised $6,300 for Special Olympics Oregon.
The plunge last year raised $412,00 and organizers are hoping for more this February. It’s all to benefit Special Olympics.
About Special Olympics:
The mission of Special Olympics Oregon is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Portland, August 11th, 2013. Oregon’s largest culinary gathering drew over 50,000 foodies. Mike Adams of Adams Rib Smoke House had a chance to show off his hearty grilled items. The Bite of Oregon was presented by Amica Insurance and also included Oregon wine and craft beer offerings at Portland’s Waterfront Park.
Chef Erica from Le Cordon Bleu made lime mouse during a demonstration.
Some food and drink vendors like “Ice” brought in displays and handed out free samples.
New aspects included an expanded SYSCO Oregon Chef’s Stage, celebrity chef, Iron Chef Oregon competitions, Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s Table, fully programmed Kids Fair, Oregon Wine Pavilion, and the growing Oregon Craft Beer Garden.
Jeff Wood from Le Cordon Bleu stirred up some fresh Marionberry ice cream.
Gabriel Green from .OC.T. worked alongside Nathan Weaver from the Parkrose Chateau.
Volunteer who helped out Special Olympics with their donated labor manned stations like the beverage huts. They inculded, Genevieve Klein and Isabel Klein from the National Charity League and PJ Hummelt from Jesuit High School.
Combining many of Portland’s most popular restaurants, bands, and comedians with Oregon’s premiere wineries for a few days of fun every August was the brainchild of local festival producer, Clay Fuller. In 1984, armed with a city park permit to “utilize a Portland park for the benefit of raising funds for a recognized non-profit organization”, Fuller teamed with beneficiary, Special Olympics Oregon, to create The Bite.
But like most fledgling enterprises, The Bite did not begin with 50,000 attendees The inaugural festival featured 23 Portland restaurants, 6 Oregon wineries, 1 comedian, and 23 bands.
About Special Olympics Oregon: This year, Special Olympics Oregon celebrates its 40th anniversary of providing Training for Life to the largest disability population in the state. Special Olympics Oregon is a year-round program offering 14 different Olympics style sports to athletes with intellectual disabilities and related cognitive disabilities. More than 10,000 participants are involved from across Oregon. In Special Olympics programs, people with intellectual disabilities compete as true athletes. They gain self-confidence, social competency and other enhanced skills, both physical and social. Special Olympics is not only the world’s largest program of year-round sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities, but is the world’s largest amateur sports organization. More than 3.7 million athletes participate in Special Olympics in over 170 countries around the world.
Special Olympics Oregon is a registered 501 c(3), non-profit organization supported by private donations from individuals, corporations and organizations throughout the state. Special Olympics is “the most credible charity in America” according to a survey in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
For More Information
For more information about Special Olympics, please visit www.soor.
Year-End update: “Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.” The unknown author of this quote must know something about an organization driven by an important mission. Thanks to the horse sense, persistence and the flaming enthusiasm of athletes, volunteers, donors, staff, and Board of Directors, Special Olympics Oregon had an exciting year of success!
Special Olympics Oregon Summer State Games 2011
Special Olympics Oregon 2011
From Special Olympics Oregon:
Our number of individuals with intellectual disability served increased statewide by 17%.
Our grand Summer State Games returned after a two-year economy-triggered suspension.
Our 30 volunteer-driven Local Programs serving our participants year-round in every county stayed strong.
Our major fundraising events – The Governors’ Gold Awards, The Bite of Oregon, Polar Plunge – exceeded expected revenue.
Our quota of volunteer Special Olympics Oregon coaches increased from 35 newly-trained in 2010 to 227 in 2011.
Our number of great friends increased – more companies, individuals and organizations caught the vision of Special Olympics Oregon’s momentous impact on the lives of thousands with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities. Over and over again, we heard those magnificent words: I want to help.
Special Olympics Oregon Polar Plunge 2011
Special Olympics Oregon Governors' Gold Awards 2011
More from Special Olympics Oregon:
To all of you, we say with full hearts, “Thank you.” You have helped in ways you may not even imagine. You have changed lives, changed hearts, changed the world. We are most grateful. Hear first hand from athletes and coaches what Special Olympics Oregon has meant to them this year:
What does Special Olympics Oregon mean to you?
Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) has given my son a chance to be included and accepted just the way he is. They have provided priceless and endless resources for us as parents. Most importantly SOOR has filled our hearts with joy. My son has a chance to actually be on a team, playing a sport that he loves right at his own school! I am thankful for a way to fulfill his dreams and wishes! Thank you SOOR, without you it would not be possible! (Kristy Minor,Special Olympics Oregon Parent)
How did you get your start in Special Olympics Oregon?
I started participating in Special Olympics Oregon back in the 1992 softball season. It was one of the best moves that I ever made for myself. It has been 17 seasons that I have been a Special Olympics Oregon Athlete and I can tell you from personal experience that I have enjoyed each and every game that I have played over the years. I never think of just myself. It is very important to me that I get my teammates involved with the games that we all play as a team. We all win and lose as one team and NOT individual players. Playing games in all sports for Special Olympics Oregon is a lot of fun. I just never want it to end. (Nathan LaMarche,Special Olympics Oregon Athlete)
What has Special Olympics Oregon done for you this year?
Special Olympics is one of those rare and amazing opportunities to be a part of something bigger than myself. As a coach I get to look into each athlete and see endless possibilities that they may not even know they have. I can set goals and see the athletes far surpass them. As a parent of an athlete, I get to see my daughter make friends that are unconditionally loving and accepting. We all get to treat each other as precious, valuable, gifted and strong! There is always encouragement and recognition available to everyone. I have seen over the last 21 years so many lives changed for the better, and relationships built that last a lifetime. With every challenge is a miracle getting ready to happen! (Cindy Miguel,Special Olympics Oregon Coach)
Help us reach one more athlete this holiday season by contributing a tax-deductable gift to Special Olympics Oregon. Volunteer this year with Special Olympics Oregon and help us continue to serve the largest disability population in the state.
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