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Wanted: Jumpers for BV's 2nd annual Polar Plunge
By By Jill Meier
Challenger Editor
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EmailJanuary 26. 2012 6:00AM
Brandon Valley’s inaugural Polar Plunge was such a success – and a whole lot of fun to watch from the sidelines – so it’s back for a second year.
This year’s Brandon Valley Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28, on the north side of the high school. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the jumping will commence at noon.
Benefactors from the Polar Plunge are the local and state Special Olympics programs, which will share proceeds raised from the event.
Tim Sylliaasen, a fourth grade teacher at Robert Bennis Elementary, joined more than 40 teachers in the plunge last year. Despite the bone-chilling water he’ll throw his body into, Sylliaasen is eager to make the leap once again.
“I do it because it goes to a great cause and a great group of kids,” Sylliaasen said. “Numerous students who benefit from this have been in my class or I have had contact with throughout my years of teaching, so it is an event that I look forward to being part of every year.”
Brandon Valley’s inaugural Polar Plunge garnered huge success, raising more than $23,000. BV Special Olympics Coach Scott Carroll hopes to surpass that amount and has set a goal of $25,000.
“Anytime you do something you tend to try and set your goals higher. I am hoping more people are aware of the event and what it all entails and will get some more people to come support Special Olympics,” Carroll said. “But whatever number we raise is great and is going to a great cause.”
Fifty percent of the proceeds raised from the BV Polar Plunge are directed to the local Special Olympics program; the remaining half goes to Special Olympics of South Dakota.
Like all of the sports programs at Brandon Valley, funding is always a need. Some of the money raised from last year’s event was used to pay for state bowling tournament costs (hotel and meal costs). “We are also in the process of getting the athletes new warm-up jackets, bags, and new jerseys for basketball and track,” Carroll said.
While part of the fun is seeing the expressions of the jumpers as they exit the winter-chilled water, the costumes the participants take the plunge in are an equal highlight.
“Costumes are encouraged and often the hit of the show, as well as watching everyone's face as they come out of the ice water,” Carroll said.
There’s an opportunity to get involved with the Polar Plunge without getting wet, Carroll said. “Too Chicken” participants can register online to raise funds for the cause.
There will also be incentive prizes for all “plungers” and “too chicken” participants. Prize levels will be at $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $1,500.
And once again, 212º The Boiling Point in Brandon will have a post-Polar Plunge party where the video of the event will be shown.
Carroll invites the community to take the plunge or come out and support the jumpers on Jan. 28.
“I would just really like to invite all to come and participate or just watch the Polar Plunge,” he said.
TO LEARN MORE
What: Brandon Valley Polar Plunge
When: Saturday, Jan. 28 – 11 a.m., registration; noon, Plunge begins
Where: North side of Brandon Valley High School
For information: Contact Scott Carroll at 310-6800 or Todd Bradwisch at 331-4117 or by email at tbradwisch@sosd.org.
To register: Go to www.sosd.org and click on “January 28 Brandon.”
This year’s Brandon Valley Polar Plunge is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28, on the north side of the high school. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and the jumping will commence at noon.
Benefactors from the Polar Plunge are the local and state Special Olympics programs, which will share proceeds raised from the event.
Tim Sylliaasen, a fourth grade teacher at Robert Bennis Elementary, joined more than 40 teachers in the plunge last year. Despite the bone-chilling water he’ll throw his body into, Sylliaasen is eager to make the leap once again.
“I do it because it goes to a great cause and a great group of kids,” Sylliaasen said. “Numerous students who benefit from this have been in my class or I have had contact with throughout my years of teaching, so it is an event that I look forward to being part of every year.”
Brandon Valley’s inaugural Polar Plunge garnered huge success, raising more than $23,000. BV Special Olympics Coach Scott Carroll hopes to surpass that amount and has set a goal of $25,000.
“Anytime you do something you tend to try and set your goals higher. I am hoping more people are aware of the event and what it all entails and will get some more people to come support Special Olympics,” Carroll said. “But whatever number we raise is great and is going to a great cause.”
Fifty percent of the proceeds raised from the BV Polar Plunge are directed to the local Special Olympics program; the remaining half goes to Special Olympics of South Dakota.
Like all of the sports programs at Brandon Valley, funding is always a need. Some of the money raised from last year’s event was used to pay for state bowling tournament costs (hotel and meal costs). “We are also in the process of getting the athletes new warm-up jackets, bags, and new jerseys for basketball and track,” Carroll said.
While part of the fun is seeing the expressions of the jumpers as they exit the winter-chilled water, the costumes the participants take the plunge in are an equal highlight.
“Costumes are encouraged and often the hit of the show, as well as watching everyone's face as they come out of the ice water,” Carroll said.
There’s an opportunity to get involved with the Polar Plunge without getting wet, Carroll said. “Too Chicken” participants can register online to raise funds for the cause.
There will also be incentive prizes for all “plungers” and “too chicken” participants. Prize levels will be at $100, $250, $500, $1,000 and $1,500.
And once again, 212º The Boiling Point in Brandon will have a post-Polar Plunge party where the video of the event will be shown.
Carroll invites the community to take the plunge or come out and support the jumpers on Jan. 28.
“I would just really like to invite all to come and participate or just watch the Polar Plunge,” he said.
TO LEARN MORE
What: Brandon Valley Polar Plunge
When: Saturday, Jan. 28 – 11 a.m., registration; noon, Plunge begins
Where: North side of Brandon Valley High School
For information: Contact Scott Carroll at 310-6800 or Todd Bradwisch at 331-4117 or by email at tbradwisch@sosd.org.
To register: Go to www.sosd.org and click on “January 28 Brandon.”
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Richard Simmons (a.k.a. Brandon Valley teacher Bill Freking) was one of 93 people took the plunge and raised more than $23,000 at last year's Brandon Valley Polar Plunge. This year's event is Saturday, Jan. 28. Challenger file photo/Jill Meier |  |
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