The Utah Jazz Bear made an appearance at the Special Olympics Polar Plunge on Friday March 3, 2023.
HYRUM – Green Canyon and Mountain Crest high school faculty, administrators and community members took part in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge fundraiser held on Friday, March 3rd at Hyrum Reservoir.
The Polar Plunge is a way for individuals, families and organizations of all kinds to raise funds to support the athletes of Special Olympics Utah on the challenge of jumping into cold water for a good cause.
Plungers commit to raise a minimum of $25 with all proceeds directly supporting athletic training, competition, and other programs throughout the year.
Officials said they took in about $10,000. There were a few little kids that jumped with their parents and most jumped in small groups from two to four people.
The water was frigid, but they had warming tents with heaters once they climbed out of the water. The Hyrum location is the final fundraiser for the organization. They start in Salt Lake City then move on to Cedar City, Park City and finally Hyrum.
Laura Cates and her daughter Cece from Kaysville were pouring hot chocolate for participants.
Special Olympic representative Haley Nall said there were going to be 80 plungers including the Utah Jazz Bear and a couple of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.
“I think they are going to tape the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and use it on one of their episodes,” Nall said. “The Utah Jazz Bear will also be here.”
And he was there and after his turn he shook off the water on his fur costume into the crowd of onlookers.
It was cloudy, windy and the outside temperature was 31 degrees during the event. The ice was two feet deep and the top of it was about 6 inches of slush and water.
As soon as the participants hit the water they were trying to get to the surface gasping for air then climbed a latter to safety.
Cache County Sheriff’s department was directing traffic for the event that was coming before, during and after the plunge.
Special Olympics provides year–round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic–type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The events during the year give these athletes opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families.
They also get to rub shoulders with other Special Olympics athletes and the community during the games.