To combat Covid restrictions the Special Olympics team have got creative and introduced a new chilly ‘plunge’ event, encouraging participants to get cold at home.
In past years, groups across Wisconsin ‘took the plunge’ by jumping into freezing lakes, but due the pandemic all events have been cancelled.
Instead the Chillin’ at Home and Great Outdoors challenges has been introduced, to raise money and asking anyone who wants to get involved to have some fun. The rules are simple: stay home, get cold, be safe, and don’t forget to record a video this winter.
Special Olympics Wisconsin Director of Communications, Tommy Jaime, said they have been blown away by the support this year.
He said: “We have never done any events like this and we had to completely revamp an event that we’ve done for more than 20 years, so we had no idea what to expect.”
Some submissions to the Chillin’ at Home Challenge include swimsuit snow angels, taking an ice bath, or pouring a bucket of ice water over your head.
Snacks from the Wisconsin Rapids Great Outdoors event, a snowshoe race.
Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Wisconsin.
Events in the Great Outdoors challenge include cardboard box sledge races, snowshoe races, and tubing. Participants register for locations across the state and raise money for Special Olympics.
Mr Jaime said: “While we won’t know exactly how much we’ve raised for a few more weeks, we are pretty happy with what has been raised online so far.”
Challengers can also collect prizes based on how much money they raise, to be picked up at a location near them.
“We’ve also been lucky to get incredible support from many great sponsors who, despite the stagnant pandemic economy, have made some wonderful financial contributions,” Mr Jaime added.
Special Olympics supports athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports training and competitions. They work to provide athletes with opportunities to get fit, develop their skills, and have fun.
Another way to show support for the event is to cheer on a champion and show support for their team.
Mr Jaime said: “All in all, we couldn’t be happier with how things have gone in a year where we had no idea what to expect.”