In it's second year back at the location that made the Polar Plunge one of Central Kentucky's most well-known and recognizable winter fundraisers, the event had another big day when Polar Bears started hitting the pool at Texas Roadhouse on Saturday, Feb. 20. More than 300 participants came out on what was one of the warmest days of a chilly winter to take part in the Plunge, raising $69,000 for Special Olympics programs in Central Kentucky and throughout the state.
The event once again got underway with the Opening Ceremonies and costume contest. The Opening Ceremonies actually got underway with the first Plunge of the day. Good Morning Kentucky co-anchor and Plunge emcee Chris Dietz of Plunge media partner ABC 36 in Lexington became the first event emcee to take the Plunge in several years when he left the stage for the water. Dietz accepted a challenge from Texas Roadhouse managing partner and long-time Plunge supporter and promoter Bruce Stebbins to help raise money for the event and take the Plunge. Good Morning Kentucky and ABC 26 raised money throughout the last week before the event and added $500 to the Plunge. The costume contest followed with the individual award going to Billy Bob Taylor of Charleston, West Virigina, who showed up dressed as a duck, complete with a floating ring. The group costume award went to The Frankfort Sunfish Team that came out dressed as pumpkins to plunge for the Frankfort Special Olympics Swim Team.
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Billy Bob Taylor struts his stuff in his costume contest-winning duck outfit. |
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Once the Opening Ceremonies gave way to Plunge time, long-time plunge sponsors Team Toyota took their spot at the front of the line. There were 21 Toyota Team Members who took part in this year's plunge, helping the group defend its Polar Cup as the largest Corporate or Civic Team. Team Toyota was also once again the Top Fundraising team with Team Members raising $6,076. That brought the company's total support of the 2010 Polar Plunge to $11,076 with the corporate sponsorship of the event.
Two other large groups took home plunge awards. The Federal Medical Center team took home the Polar Cup for the Law Enforcement Division, with 21 team members hitting the water, raising $4,335.06. Cark County Schools on the largest Fraternity/Sorority/School Group Polar Cup with 23 participants who combined to raise $2,208.
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Members of the Lexington Police Recruit Class
take the Plunge. |
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As part of the individual awards, a familiar face reclaimed his crown. Willy Fogle who had a two-year reign as Plunge King when the event was held at Applebee's Park returned to the throne this year. Fogle raised $1,605 for the Plunge. The top overall fundraiser was actually Plunge Queen Elisabeth Akin of Team Toyota. Elizabeth raised $2,037 out of Team Toyota's effort, maintaining the Team Toyota hold on the Queen's throne after another Team Toyota member won the title in 2009.
Clay Wachs was named Prince of the Plunge. The 8-year-old who plunged with the Jessamine Sharks Special Olympics swim team raised $530 in his third year taking the Plunge. The only member of last year's Plunge Royal Court to return to the throne this year was Plunge Princess Hannah Hatchett. Hannah raised $333 this year.
Click Here to View/Purchase 2010 Polar Bear Plunge Photos
Special Olympics thanks everyone who made the Polar Bear Plunge such a success, especially the event committee and the event sponsors — Texas Roadhouse and Bruce Stebbins; Toyota Motor Manufacturing; Clear Channel Radio Lexington — 104.5 The Cat, 98.1 The Bull, 100.1 Double Q, Magic 105.5, NewsRadio 630, Mix 94.5 and GROOVIN 1580;
ABC 36 and My TVQ2; AAA Travel and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. We also need to thank the Lexington Police Department for their help with security and crowd control barriers, and of course the Lexington Fire Department who fills the pool every year and provides emergency support.
The Lexington Polar Bear Plunge is one of six Plunges in Kentucky in 2010. The events include Polar Bear Plunges in Lake Cumberland, Lexington, Louisville, Newport, Owensboro and Western Kentucky. This year shattered all previous records for both participants and dollars raised as nearly 2,500 people too the Plunge, raising more than $618,000 for Special Olympics. In the 13 years since the first Kentucky Polar Plunge was held in Louisville, the Polar Plunge program has raised more than $4 million.
We hope you'll join us for the 2011 Lexington Polar Plunge (tentatively scheduled for Feb. 19, 2011). For more information about how you can be involved in the Plunge as a sponsor or participant, contact Anna Beth Logan, Special Olympics Kentucky Special Events Director at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222, or click on her name to send an e-mail.
King of the Plunge — Willy Fogle, Lexington; $1,605 raised
Queen of the Plunge — Elisabeth Akin, Georgetown; $2,037 raised
Prince of the Plunge — Clay Wachs, Nicholasville; $530 raised
Princess of the Plunge — Hannah Hatchett, Corinth; $333 raised
Polar Cup Corporate Division — Team Toyota; 21 members, $6,076 raised
Polar Cup School Division — Clark County Schools; 23 members, $2,208 raised
Polar Cup Law Enforcement Division — Federal Medical Center Lexington; 21members, $4,335 raised
Top Overall Fundraising Team — Team Toyota, $6,076 raised
Costume Contest Winners — Billy Bob Taylor-Individual; Frankfort Sunfish-Group
