by Elise Goitia '18

What better way to support the Special Olympics than by jumping into near-freezing water? Knox College students recently participated in the 2016 Polar Plunge, an event where they raised funds for Special Olympics, stepped outside on a windy Sunday, and took a plunge into Galesburg's Lake Storey. 

"Polar Plunge is a great experience because it's an opportunity for Knox to connect with the Galesburg community," said Jessica Hale ‘16, event coordinator for Polar Plunge.

As the event's coordinator for the past three years, one of Hale's many duties is dressing up in a polar bear costume, cheering on plungers, and taking pictures with participants and their friends and family.

"Just from my position, it's absolutely fulfilling to represent this organization and work hard to raise that money," she added.

The 2016 Polar Plunge Law Enforcement Torch Run Series for Special Olympics Illinois is an event where citizens, law enforcement officers, civic leaders of the community, and anyone who wishes to support the Special Olympics can participate by raising a minimum of $100. The event involved food, a costume contest, and, of course, teams of plungers adventurously running into the water.

"I think it's a great way to make people reconsider the way they look at people with intellectual and physical disabilities," said Djaq Morris ‘18. "There is such a stigmatization that we should define people by what they can't do, rather than what they can. The Special Olympics is an opportunity to remind the world of what people can do."

Knox students avidly participated in the event, either by rooting on their friends or by running into the water themselves. Many came from groups such as the swim team, Beta Theta Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Phi Omega, Pi Beta Phi, KADSA, the men's soccer team, and M.E.Ch.A.

The Kleine Center for Community Service also provided a team of volunteers for the event.

Many of the students that participated in the Polar Plunge have friends and family who compete in the Special Olympics, where anyone with intellectual disabilities has the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courageousness, and compete in athletics.

"I wanted to do this because my brother has special needs, so I come to support people like him," said Harry Carpenter ‘18. "People with special needs bring a real meaning to our world, and there's just so much potential for them."

"It's a fun way to get involved with Galesburg," commented Alex Contreras '18. "In high school, I knew what athletics did for me as an individual. I think the Special Olympics provides a wonderful opportunity for people to compete athletically, regardless of background. I'm looking for anything to help people accomplish that."

The Polar Plunge is just one way to participate in the many philanthropic and service-related causes that are supported by Knox student service organizations. To learn about more opportunities to volunteer, visit the Kleine Center for Community Service.