RADFORD, Va. – Freezin’ for a good reason — that’s what hundreds of people did at Saturday’s New River Polar Plunge — raising money to support Special Olympics Virginia.
Some of our 10 News crew joined in on the fun, too.
WSLS Anchor Duke Carter was one of the three hundred people ready to take a dip into the New River for this year’s New River Polar Plunge.
“We saw more than 300 people come out, run into cold water for obviously such a great cause, just really excited for the enthusiasm this group has for this event,” said Katelynn Howell, director of development for Special Olympics Virginia.
Even with some flurries, we’ll blame on our Chief Meteorologist Jeff Haniewich — the river was welcoming for plungers, or at least to one...
“It actually feels good in here!” Haniewich said.
Not only does the Polar Plunge bring together Special Olympic athletes and other community members, but it is also the organization’s largest fundraiser.
This year, the event raised over $95,000 in the New River Valley.
“Personally it’s touching to me because I have friends that have special needs and I have helped them from high school to now so to see all these people come together to raise $95,000 is incredible,” said Anna Reed, with Hokie Way.
That $95,000 is significantly more than last year’s Polar Plunge, which raised $72,000.