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Group to plunge, raise money for Special Olympic athletes
By Caitlin Waters
On November 30, 2012
On Saturday, most students will be in class or sitting somewhere warm, preparing
for finals. A select group of Buff State students, however, will be diving into the icy
waters of Lake Erie for a great cause.
The sixth-annual Western New York Polar Plunge is set for the beginning of
next month. It was originally created as a medium to raise money for the Special
Olympics.
The Special Olympic athletes attend and participate in the plunge along with those
who sign up. The co-mingling of the athletes with the plungers not only creates a
bond, but also awareness.
All of the money raised for this event goes directly to funding programs for the
Special Olympic athletes.
Buffalo State Alum and Chairman of the WNY Polar Plunge, Steven Nigrelli, said he
has been involved in the event since its induction.
"Through fundraising events like the Polar Plunge, all of the equipment, uniforms,
and athletic facilities costs are covered for the athletes," Nigrelli said.
Exceptional Education Department Chairman Kevin Miller said a season for one
athlete costs roughly $400 for one sport.
"There are, just in New York, 55,698 Special Olympic athletes who train and
compete year round in 22 sports, and there is no charge ever for the athletes and
their families to participate," he said.
Donations can be made as a single donor, or you can become a member or create
your own team.
Miller stresses that the goal, along with monetary donations, really is to raise the
opportunities for people with disabilities to have a full range of experiences in life.
The campus organization Best Buddies has organized a team for the Plunge since its
first year. Co-Vice President of Best Buddies Samantha Kalnitz is the captain of this
year's Buffalo State College Plunge team.
Anyone can donate or sign up to join the team, and you do not have to be part of
Best Buddies.
This year the Buff State team's goal is $10,000. The deadline for signing up is the day
of the event.
Free transportation for the team will also be provided. The bus will leave Grover
Cleveland circle at approximately 10:30 a.m.
The check-in and registration for the event will take place between 11 a.m. and 1
p.m. and the plunge will happen at approximately 2 p.m.
Upon signing up it is encouraged to set a personal fundraising goal for the event.
Those who raise $100 will receive a free Polar Plunge sweatshirt, and being in the
top ranks of donors will get you awards and prizes. There is no minimum donation
requirement to participate.
Worrying about the cold weather won't be an issue either, as all of the tents at the
event will be heated. So, after plunging into the water, participants can run back into
the heated tent to get dressed.
Kalnitz recommends wearing your bathing suit underneath layers of warm clothing.
This makes it easier both to strip down to bathing attire once it's time for the
plunge, and to get back into warm, dry clothes once it's over.
"The first time I plunged it was so fun, but so cold," Kalnitz said. "It's totally worth it
though."
It is recommended that plungers stay away from flip-flops, as people tend to trip
over them while running or lose them in the water.
Negrelli said the temperatures are worth braving for the experience.
"Where else will you find over 1,000 people hanging out on a beach in a heated tent
in their beach attire in December?" she said.
Caitlin Waters can be reached by email at waters01.record@live.com.
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