Contact: Mark Buerger, Communications Director
Special Olympics Kentucky
(502) 695-8222 (Voice)
(502) 695-0496 (Fax)
mbuerger@soky.org (E-Mail)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2006
New Year Starts Countdown to “The Coolest Event In Northern Kentucky”; Seventh Annual Polar Bear Plunge
Returns to Newport on the Levee
Frankfort, Ky. – More than 200 participants are expected to take part in the Seventh Annual Polar Bear Plunge on February 4, 2006, at Newport on the Levee in Newport. Plungers raise a minimum of $50 and take the leap into a pool that will be set up on the Riverwalk Plaza between the Newport Aquarium and Mitchell’s Fish Market. All money raised at the event will benefit Special Olympics Kentucky and Special Olympics Ohio.
Anyone who wants to take the plunge can pick up registration forms at GameWorks at the Newport on the Levee or at the Levee offices. Participants can also register on line at http://2006plunge.kintera.org/kentucky-ohio, create their own Web page and raise money through the official Polar Bear Plunge Web site. Participants can register as individuals or gather a team of friends, family or coworkers and register as a group.
All participants receive the official Polar Bear Plunge T-shirt, but can earn addition prizes for raising more money. Anyone raising a minimum of $200 will receive the third edition Polar Bear Plunge bobblehead doll. All participants raising a minimum of $300 will be eligible to win a Caribbean Cruise courtesy of AAA Travel. The top male and female fundraisers will be named King and Queen of the Plunge and receive King and Queen for a Day prize packages.
The actual Plunge is only part of the event. Plungers are encouraged to wear costumes and participate in the annual costume contest. There will also be an after-plunge party and awards ceremony at GameWorks in Newport on the Levee.
Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. in the main building at Newport on the Levee. Opening ceremonies, including the costume parade and costume contest, kick off at 11 a.m. and plunging begins at approximately 11:15 a.m. Plungers who wish to take part in the costume contest or who think they would qualify as the Plunge King or Queen must be registered before 10:30 a.m. to be eligible.
In addition to the fundraising awards, prizes will be awarded to the largest fraternity, sorority or school group, largest law enforcement group, largest corporate group, the oldest polar bear and the plunger with the best costume.
The Seventh Annual Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics is sponsored by Newport on the Levee, GameWorks, Fox 19, Q-102, AAA Travel, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, Art’s Rental and Nelson’s Tents.
The Sixth Annual Bear Plunge saw more than 150 Polar Bears hit the water last February, raising almost $30,000. The event has raised more than $125,000 overall for Special Olympics in its first six years.
Special Olympics is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with mental disabilities. Participation is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in 25 sports.
For more information about the Polar Bear Plunge, contact Amy Kute at 513-405-3450 or Courtney Sullivan-Staples at 800-633-7403 or via e-mail at csullivan-staples@soky.org, or visit http://2006plunge.kintera.org/kentucky-ohio.
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