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Students take plunge for charity |
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
by MALLORI MORRIS
Intern News Reporter
For the ninth year in a row, students will get the chance to dive into Duck Pond Thursday for the university’s annual Polar Plunge.
Appalachian State University Police, Boone Police Department, Blowing Rock Police Department, Appalachian Regional Health Care System Police Department, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department sponsor the event.
Participants in the plunge line up on a platform raised over Duck Pond
and jump, dive, belly flop or cannonball into the icy water.
Maj. Larry C. Foster, University Police public safety director, said
the plunge usually draws a crowd of more than 3,000 spectators to Duck
Pond.
Proceeds from the event have raised a total of $50,000 for Watauga County Special Olympics during the past eight years.
Foster said the biggest year for the plunge was in 2002 when MTV’s Road
Rules visited Appalachian’s campus and participated in the event.
More than 300 people jumped and over $12,000 was raised, Foster said.
Last year’s plunge raised more than $9,200 for the Special Olympics,
one of the biggest years in the plunge’s history, and 229 people
participated.
Foster said the water temperature is usually around 30 to 34 degrees on the day of the plunge.
“It was extremely cold, but it was one of those things where it went to
a good cause,” Allison L. Unumb, a sophomore public relations major and
participant in last year’s plunge, said.
Unumb said she participated with her sorority, Chi Omega, and jumped
with her pledge sisters and some older sorority sisters. She is still
debating whether or not to jump again this year.
The event, which is open to anyone who wants to participate, promotes organizations and clubs on campus to get involved.
Foster said usually all of Appalachian’s Greek life participates.
“I would encourage freshman or anyone to do it. It’s a neat experience,” Unumb said.
Registration begins at 3 p.m. at Duck Pond. Individuals are asked to
donate $25 and groups of five or more are asked to donate $20 per
person.
Prizes will be awarded for the most extreme costume for male and female and top fund-raising group or individual.
Foster said all money raised from the event stays in Watauga County to support local Special Olympics athletes.
Contact Keron Poteat, Watauga County Special Olympics Coordinator, at
264- 9511 if you are interested in participating in this year’s event.
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David Mulvaney | Chief Photographer
The ninth annual Polar Plunge will be Thursday in Duck Pond. Students and faculty alike will brave the near freezing water for a good cause. All proceeds will be donated to the Watauga County Special Olympics.
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