Twenty-seven plungers jumped into water that was 51 degrees at the Choctaw RV Park during the 24th annual Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics last Saturday.
Scott Corbin of KLBC was emcee of the event and he welcomed everyone to the Polar Plunge “If you don’t know by now, a Polar Plunge is a fundraising challenge made to an individual or group challenging them to dive into a cold body of water in order to raise money for Special Olympics,” Corbin said. “Each participant collects pledges from family, friends and businesses, and then they take the plunge in the cold water to benefit Special Olympics.”
Corbin introduced Autum Manners, a Special Olympics athlete from Red River Renegades who recited the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Alicia Farley was one of the plungers, and she is a member of the Jeffrey’s Sisters team, named in memory of her brother.
“Our brother passed away in 2020, and we wanted to do something in his memory,” Farley said. “So, we are team Jeffrey’s Sisters and for the past three years, my sisters and I and our family are donating and collecting money to make sure that we honor his memory, and we want to continue to support people with special needs,” Farley said.
Her brother was in the Special Olympics, and his favorite activity was the talent show.
“He absolutely loved music, and he loved it when all of the other kids would sing,” Farley said. “The other reason it’s so important to me is because I know there is a lack of funding to serve these students and adults that have special needs. We need to donate and make sure that they can do all of that, you know the stuff they love. It’s a great way for them to get together and socialize. So, as a community, we need to come together and support this great organization.”
Farley, who has been a teacher, said she loves the law enforcement in the community.
“I know many of them personally,” Farley said. “I even taught some of them and so to know that they care about our special-needs community means a lot to me.”
For anyone wanting to contribute to Special Olympics, Farley recommended visiting the Special Olympics Southeastern Oklahoma website or contacting Jennifer McBridge of Good Deal Thrift store, who can help with sending donations.
“There are many people with special needs working there, and you can go and support that organization,” Farley said.
Durant Police Chief Jesse Petty was among the plungers, and he said he began the day with a department workout and then went to the Polar Plunge so he could cool off after the heated workout.
“This year compared to the years before, it was pretty icy so I don’t know if that’s a contributing factor from the ice storm we had, but I would 100 percent say jumping in, this one took your breath away upon initial contact,” Petty said.
According to Petty, DPD along with other law enforcement agencies in the community have been taking the Polar Plunge for years.
“This is just a great opportunity for us to come together with the community and kind of humanize the badge a little bit if you will and for a good purpose to raise some money for Special Olympics,” Petty said.
DPD was one of the top fundraisers, and they also participated in Tip a Cop where officers served last week at local restaurants. Petty said that was a contributing factor, and that he is proud of the community for stepping up and helping the department raise funds. Petty said DPD participates in several other Tip a Cop events throughout the year, and anyone interested in contributing should follow the department on social media.
Awards were presented to the following: Youngest Plunger, Tripp Jones, representing Durant Police Department; Oldest Plunger, Laura Ford, representing Durant Police Department; Best Team Costume, Jeffrey’s Sisters; Top Fundraising Team, Choctaw Nation Security and Lighthorse Police; Top Fundraising first responders agency, Durant Police Department, and Top Fundraiser, Clint Morrison.
