After just two years, it's already easy to see that the Special Olympics programs in Kentucky and Ohio combining their efforts to produce the Kentucky-Ohio Polar Bear Plunge is going to pay great dividends for athletes in both states.
On Saturday, February 3, nearly 300 people braved sub-zero wind chills to take part in the 2007 Kentucky-Ohio Polar Bear Plunge and raised an event-record $65,000 to support Special Olympics athletes on both sides of the Ohio River.
From the day's beginning, there was no doubt about how cold this year's Polar Bears were going to be. For the first time in two years at this event, about and inch and a half of ice had to be taken off the top of the pool when event workers arrived early in the morning. Volunteers continued to skim ice out of the water as it formed right up until the plungers started hitting the water. In case there was still any doubt, Plunge emcee and FOX 19 chief meteorologist Paul Horton told the crowd at the beginning of Opening Ceremonies, "It's 18 degrees out right now, but the wind chill is anywhere from 10 to 20 degrees below zero."
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Costume Contest winner Lou Prabel shows off his Cincinnati Bengals pride . |
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Shortly after those chilling words, the annual costume contest got underway. As always at the Kentucky-Ohio Plunge there were some truly inspired entries, but it was Lou Prabel of Crescent Springs, Kentucky, who walked away with the prize after sporting his pride in the Cincinnati Bengals, including shaving the team's "B" logo into his chest.
Not surprisingly, once the Polar Bears made their way out to the pool, the Plunge itself went pretty quickly. Once on stage, the plungers could hardly wait to get into the water (a full 50 degrees warmer than the wind chill), get out and get dry again.
The plungers' speed though did make for some great times inside at Newport on the Levee as POlar Bears and their friends took advantage of the many great offers Levee businesses — who embraced the event this year like never before — had for the Plunge participants. Special thanks to Jefferson Hall, GameWorks and Bar Louie, which all made significant contributions to the Plunge this year.
When all of the plungers were dry and warm (or as warm as they could get under the circumstances), Horton and co-emcee Fritsch from Q102 took the festivities back inside the Levee for the annual awards ceremony.
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The Thin Ice Team Captain Steve Reynolds of Cincinnati sports a unique outfit and a unique jump style as he heads into the pool. |
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This year, only one team managed to defend their Polar Cup from 2006. The group from Tichenor Middle School fended off one of their first real challenges in years from a group from Northern Kentucky University, but their 20 Polar Bears were just enough to hang on and raised $2,226.35.
In the Law Enforcement Division, the group from the Kentucky Department of Corrections (Probation and Parole) unseated the two-time defending champ Kenton County Detention Center by one Polar Bear with 10 jumpers raising $2,372. And a brand new group claimed the Corporate/Community/Civic Division. The Thin Ice from Cincinnati had 10 team members who raised $3727.
The Oldest Plunger award returned to a familiar name after a year off. Charlie Bell (70) of the Kentucky Department of Corrections reclaimed his crown in that category. This year's youngest Plunger was 4-year-old Basil Hozeska.
There were also some familiar names in the King and Queen (top fundraisers) competitions. Ed Jenner of the Newport Aquarium won his fourth consecutive King/Top Fundraiser crown, raisin $2,019.50. There was tie for Queen of the Plunge honors. 2006 Queen Sheila Craig of the Kentucky Department of Corrections won a share of the crown as did Plunge newcomer Kate Blanton from Cincinnati.
More than 900 photos from the 2007 Northern Kentucky Polar Bear Plunge can be viewed and purchased at www.cincinnatiphotography.com. Click on the polar Bear Plunge logo.
Our thanks to the many people who mad the 2007 Polar Bear Plunge such a success — Special Olympics Ohio Executive Director Bob Rickard, Public Relations Director Paige Ludwig and Hamilton County Liaison Amy Kute; host Newport on the Levee and their staff; media partners FOX 19 and Q102, especially emcees Paul Horton and Fritsch and the promotions staffs; Jefferson Hall and GameWorks; Bar Louie, which hosted a hugely successful pre-registration party; the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which both raised money through various law enforcement agencies and helped produce the Polar Bear Plunge; Arts Rental, which provided tables, chairs and pumps to empty the pool at the end of the day; Nelson's Tents, which provided the changing tents and heaters for the day; Jim Craycroft and Cincinnati Photography, which took event photos and AAA Travel, which provided a Carnival Caribbean Cruise for two that will be given away following the end of the Kentucky Polar Bear Plunge season on Feb.. 24.
For more information about how you or your company can be involved in the 2008 Polar Bear Plunge as a sponsor or as participants, contact Special Olympics Kentucky Special Events Director Courtney Sullivan-Staples at 800-633-7403 or 502-695-8222 or via e-mail at csullivan-staples@soky.org.
The Kentucky-Ohio Polar Bear Plunge is one of six Plunges in Kentucky in 2007, with events held in Lake Cumberland, Lexington, Louisville, Newport, and Owensboro. The five events saw more than 2,100 people take the Plunge, raising nearly $475,000 for Special Olympics.
King of the Plunge — Ed Jenner, $2,019.50 raised
Queens of the Plunge — Sheila Craig, $1,102 raised; Kate Blanton
Polar Cup Corporate Division — The Thin Ice; 10 members, $3,727 raised
Polar Cup School Division — Tichenor Middle School; 27 members, $3,259.35 raised
Polar Cup Law Enforcement Division — Kentucky Department of Corrections (Probation and Parole); 10 members, $2,372 raised
Costume Contest Winner— Lou Prabel, Crescent Springs, KY; Big Bengals Fan
Oldest Plunger — Charlie Bell (70)
Youngest Plunger — Basil Hozeska (4)
