The twenty eighth Annual Particular Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge went distant as a consequence of anticipated excessive climate situations on Saturday, February 4th. Nonetheless, lots of of plungers raised funds and created their very own chilly actions in help of applications that enrich the lives of a neighborhood of over 5,000 Vermonters. The Penguin Plunge is the most important fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont (SOVT), and this 12 months over $525,000 was raised by over 1,000 individuals between the Burlington, Cool Faculties, and Southern Vermont plunges to help SOVT initiatives and programming.
Fundraisers had been inspired to indicate their help for SOVT by plunging remotely and recording or taking pictures of their inventive alternate options to the same old in-person plunge into Lake Champlain. The 2023 Penguin Plunge will culminate in a Premiere Occasion on March twenty first at Foam Brewers, the place a manufacturing of all distant plunges will probably be performed for the very first time. The compilation produced by The Media Manufacturing facility will even be made accessible to view on SOVT’s YouTube channel.
“We’re so grateful for the help of our neighborhood, who proceed to make this occasion successful 12 months after 12 months,” mentioned Particular Olympics Vermont President and CEO, Missy Siner. “Our plungers, sponsors, companions, volunteers and donors embraced the shift to a distant plunge by persevering with to lift funds and consciousness for our group, demonstrating their dedication to constructing a extra inclusive future for Vermont.”
Williston Central College led the best way as the highest fundraising crew of the Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge, breaking its highschool counterpart’s 9-year streak. The 67-member crew raised over $16,000. For the fifth 12 months in a row, the Union Mutual Popsicles had been the highest fundraising crew of the Burlington Plunge, with their 45-member crew elevating an astounding $104,006.
The Southern Vermont Penguin Plunge happened in-person on March eleventh on the Dana L Thompson Memorial Park in Manchester. Near 100 neighborhood members from Manchester and neighboring cities raised over $16,000. Plungers ran by streams of water from a Manchester Fireplace Division fireplace truck in help of Particular Olympics Vermont.
All funds raised by the Penguin Plunge help SOVT’s athletic coaching and competitors alternatives for each neighborhood and school-based applications, free well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont. As SOVT athlete chief, Bennett Townley says, “Particular Olympics applications have made a optimistic influence in my life, permitting me to really feel extra included locally, make new associates, and enhance my bodily and emotional well-being.”
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been doable with out the help of our many sponsors, presenting sponsor Xfinity; gold sponsors, Group Financial institution, GlobalFoundries, and Union Mutual; silver sponsors, Cabot Creamery Co-Operative, Darn Robust Vermont, and Northfield Financial savings Financial institution; media sponsors, WCAX, Star 92.9, 95 Triple X, WVMT, The Wolf, and Media Manufacturing facility; bronze sponsors, Foam Brewers, UVM Well being Community, and Mascoma Financial institution. Plus, further sponsors Allen Pool & Spas, Curtis Lumber, Lodge Vermont, Hilton Burlington, R.Okay. Miles, Casella Waste Techniques, Dorr Oil, Hub Worldwide, H.N. Williams Retailer, and Mack Molding.
Particular Olympics Vermont can also be grateful for the help of our many companions together with Ben & Jerry’s, Greatest Purchase, Burlington Telecom, Burlington Parks & Recreation, Burlington Police & Fireplace Departments, Church Road Market, Mansfield Corridor, Pete’s RV Middle, Starbucks, Supersounds Leisure, Twincraft, and our companions for the Southern Vermont Penguin Plunge—Burr and Burton Academy and Sam’s Wooden Fired Pizza Co. Thanks to everybody who makes this occasion doable yearly by offering time, vitality, in-kind donations, sponsorships, and extra. For extra info please go to PenguinPlunge.org.
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About Particular Olympics Vermont
Particular Olympics Vermont is a part of a world motion that works year-round to foster the inclusion and acceptance of individuals with mental disabilities through the use of the ability of sport to showcase their items and skills. For extra info, go to www.specialolympicsvermont.org.
