Saturday morning, hundreds of people jumped into the New River to support Special Olympics Virginia — for this year’s Polar Plunge!

Radford Mayor David Horton shares excitement about Polar Plunge 2024 which raises money for Special Olympics Virginia.

People are gearing up to "go for the cold" for the 2024 Polar Plunge.

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The department has participated in the annual event for years and they tell us every year is special.

Choose your view for the New River Polar Plunge on Saturday!

WSLS is ready to get to freezin’ for a reason in the 2024 New River Polar Plunge!

WSLS is ready to get to freezin’ for a reason in the 2024 New River Polar Plunge!

The 2024 New River Polar Plunge raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia it’s Southwest Virginia’s largest fundraiser.

The 2024 New River Polar Plunge raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia it’s Southwest Virginia’s largest fundraiser. Some WSLS Anchors are gearing up for the event and you can decide who takes the plunge. All you have to do is sign up using your email to become an insider to vote.Voting starts January 17th.

Are you ready to go for the cold? 10 News is!

The countdown is on for the 2024 New River Polar Punge.

The plunge returned to Radford's Dudley's Landing for the first time since 2020.

We’re excited to be freezin’ for a reason at this year’s New River Polar Plunge, which raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia.

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WSLS 10 News and Freedom First Credit Union have partnered for a friendly, one-day giving challenge in support of Special Olympics Virginia.

The 2023 New River Polar Plunge, which raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia, is just days away.

The event raises money to benefit the athletes and programs of Special Olympics Virginia.

For Elizabeth Kitley and her sister Raven Kitley, Special Olympics has involved the entire family.

Athletes from all over Southwest Virginia traveled to Cassell Coliseum today to compete in the Special Olympics VA regional basketball tournament.

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Schools in Southwest Virginia are involved in spreading Special Olympics' message of inclusion and some, including Salem High School, are getting national recognition for their efforts.

The law enforcement community is a key supporter of Special Olympics, and the Virginia Tech Police Department has been involved with the organization for years.

'Healthy Athletes' offers free health screenings and education at Special Olympics events, and can be life-changing for athletes.

The upcoming Special Olympics Polar Plunge will give people across Southwest Virginia the chance to "Go For the Cold" in the New River in Radford to help Special Olympics athletes "Go For the Gold" year round.

In a few weeks, hundreds of people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly jump into the New River in Radford in February in support of Special Olympics Virginia.

A large crowd gathered in Radford to take the Polar Plunge Saturday afternoon to raise thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics.

It takes the support of individual plungers, fundraising teams and the community to make the Polar Plunge a success year-after-year.

While this year’s Polar Plunge will still be outside and in-person, it won’t be a run into the New River.

The biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics in Southwest Virginia takes place on Saturday, and hundreds of people are ready to be freezin' for a reason for a great cause.

Virginia’s Special Olympics basketball tournament kicked off on Sunday at the Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg.

In less than three weeks, the 10 News team and people from across Southwest Virginia will willingly take an icy dip into the New River for the annual Polar Plunge.

The annual New River Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics returns to Bisset Park in Radford for the 2022 event, after the 2021 event was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Look below and you can see what last year’s Polar Plunge, held at Bissett Park in Radford, looked like. Polar Plunge 2020With the coronavirus pandemic, many things have had to change, so this year, we cannot plunge at Bissett Park. I thought it was awesome you were raising money for Special Olympics,” said Ratkus. AdAdapted Aquatics is a program that teaches kids with special needs how to swim. Click here if you’d like to donate to the Special Olympics.

ROANOKE, Va. – The push to the 2021 Polar Plunge is on, as teams across Virginia are coming up with their own unique ways to plunge in support of Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes are also coming up with their own ways to stay connected and active even though the pandemic has made that harder. Tim Cross and Matt Hall, both athletes with Special Olympics, teamed up to organize and lead a winter basketball clinic to keep fellow Special Olympics athletes active and engaged during the pandemic. “It was, to me, that’s what I’m looking for, that independent way of thinking.”They all encourage people to support Special Olympics because of the impact it has in the lives of athletes and volunteers. “This time, Special Olympics, is their time to shine.”To donate and support Special Olympics Virginia through the Polar Plunge, click here.

SALEM, Va. – The law enforcement community has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics. Fadorick said she and her colleagues get to see firsthand how important Special Olympics is to its athletes. Ad“I can’t say it enough, it’s just so rewarding to interact with the athletes and see the appreciation and what they get out of the Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. “The Polar Plunge is one of the biggest fundraisers for Special Olympics and obviously with the pandemic, donations and fundraising are down significantly so it’s really important that people participate and support Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. AdPolar Plunge teams are encouraged to take the plunge between February 1-6.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The roster of teams continues to grow as people across Virginia get ready for this year’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Some of the teams participating in the 2021 Plunge have partnered with Special Olympics for years, including several fraternities and sororities from Virginia Tech and Radford University. “We’ve been really, really blessed to still be able to work with Special Olympics regularly, weekly, still see the athletes’ faces,” said Erin Upton, service officer for XDA. In years past, XDA members took part in a variety of sports with Special Olympics athletes. “In the past, XDA has worked with athletes and Special Olympics to do a variety of sports from swimming to bowling and everything in between,” Upton said.

ROANOKE, Va. – In less than a month, individuals and teams from across Virginia will take part in the 2021 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia, but with a twist. Instead, people get to “plunge their way” and decide how they want to take the plunge. Money raised by the event supports Special Olympics’ mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As a proud sponsor, WSLS 10 is participating and raising money to help Special Olympics. Special Olympics Virginia is planning a week of Polar Plunge activities starting February 1 and ending with a virtual celebration on February 6.

The annual event raises money to support the athletes and mission of Special Olympics Virginia. The upcoming plunge will look different because of the pandemic, as participants get to plunge their way. “We are looking for a hot tub to do it,” said Joey Wheeler, an Area 9 Special Olympics athlete. Special Olympics knows, no matter how participants plunge, it will make a big splash in the lives of their athletes and volunteers. Click here for more information on the 2021 Polar Plunge and how to get involved.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – More than 200 teams across the Commonwealth have signed up to take the Polar Plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. The annual Polar Plunge supports the programs and mission of Special Olympics, which works to provide year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes and volunteers have turned to virtual events and individual fitness challenges to stay together despite being physically apart. “If we don’t keep our athletes and volunteers together, those connections will come apart, so that’s a lot of what we’ve been trying to work on,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes and volunteers have enjoyed virtual dance parties, Halloween-themed get-togethers and socially-distanced fitness competitions to stay connected during the pandemic.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – In just a few weeks, athletes, volunteers and community members from all across Virginia will once again take the plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics Virginia had to suspend in-person activities in March, but since then athletes, volunteers and staff have found one sport in particular that works well with COVID-19 restrictions. Bocce proved to be an ideal sport for Special Olympics’ unified programming, which brings together athletes with and without disabilities. “Special Olympics means to me being involved with other activities and just being out there having fun with friends, " Wheeler said. For more information about Special Olympics Virginia and the 2021 Polar Plunge, click here.

Due to COVID-19, Special Olympics Virginia can’t hold an in-person event, so in 2021, everyone can take the plunge into their own hands. “The really important thing this year, we feel, is that we keep our athletes and families and volunteers engaged," said Nancy Morehouse, the director of the southwest region for Special Olympics Virginia. The Polar Plunge is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser to support its more than 23,000 athletes. In total, the plunge raised $61,000 in Southwest Virginia and about $1.5 million statewide. We’re just going let everybody decide how they’re going to do the plunge," said Morehouse.

The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Virginia through fundraising leading up to the event. This year, the Polar Plunge raised nearly $60,000 for Special Olympics Virginia, surpassing the organization’s goal of $55,000. It’s really exciting to see.”'WSLS 10 raised more than $8,500 for the Polar Plunge, which was second-most among all fundraising teams. The top team was the Virginia Tech chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, who raised nearly $15,000. "A week into me being in the organization, they had me raise money for the Polar Plunge, so they get you started early with that kind of stuff.”The money raised during the Polar Plunge will be used for a myriad of important costs within Special Olympics Virginia.

The weeknight news producer is one of WSLS-10′s Polar Plunge team, braving the icy waters to benefit Special Olympics. So we turn to Rail Yard Dawgs assistant coach and Minnesota native Cal Miska for some helpful tips on how to handle the cold. “Are there any tips or moves I need to do to stay warm?”(after the plunge) Wills inquired. To complete her training, Wills worked on increasing her agility and comfort where penguins are most comfortable -- on the ice. The preparation drills Wills worked on included the Penguin slide, the ice angel, the Penguin flop, the Klondike skate and of course, the ‘icy groove’.

The brothers have traveled the world participating in Special Olympics competitions. Ben recently returned from the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational where he earned a silver medal in the giant slalom. Both agree, Special Olympics has shaped who they are. "Without running and Special Olympics, I probably wouldn't be running right now or playing basketball either," Josh said. Ben and Josh said they now have their sights set on qualifying for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – An important basketball game happened at Virginia Tech’s Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, but the Hokies never touched the court. Rather, Special Olympics Virginia’s Southwest Region basketball tournament attracted 25 teams around the region to Blacksburg. “Out of all of the places they play, Tech is their favorite place,” said April Alley, who coaches Pulaski County’s Special Olympics basketball team. “They love it.”Although Virginia Tech’s basketball team gave up the Cassell Coliseum court to the Special Olympics athletes, Hokie basketball players watched from the sidelines and cheerleaders helped the athletes make a glamorous entrance into the arena. The tournament kicks off a significant month for Special Olympics Virginia.

ROANOKE, Va. – Excitement is building for the 2020 New River Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Virginia, and one athlete is especially eager to dive right in. "I'm very excited for it and it's going to be a lot of fun," said Nicholas D'Elicio, an athlete and global messenger with Special Olympics Virginia. D'Elicio, of Roanoke, said he discovered Special Olympics' programs about five years ago with the help of a friend. As a global messenger, D'Elicio spreads the word about the work Special Olympics Virginia is doing in the community and in the lives of its athletes. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, February 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of people are eagerly awaiting the chance to take an icy dip into the New River next month, as a part of this year’s New River Polar Plunge. “It gets really exciting, especially if there’s snow on the river bank,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director of Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News is excited to partner with Special Olympics Virginia to support the Polar Plunge, which is the main fundraiser for Special Olympics programming in southwest Virginia. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford. You can help support Special Olympics' mission by making a donation to this year's Polar Plunge or signing up to take the Plunge.

The New River Polar Plunge is set for Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing in Radford’s Bisset Park. Check-in registration begins at 10 a.m. with the Plunge set for 12:30 p.m. The funds raised from this event help Special Olympics Virginia and its mission to help more than 25,000 athletes of all abilities. This year, the plunge is looking to raise $55,000. Not looking to take the plunge yourself but still want to donate?