2012 Polar Bear Plunge-MN Special Olympics

Congratulations to our Boston's Designated Divers for raising enough money for the MN Special Olympics that they placed 10th in the state in the restaurant team category!  With only 7 team members, one being only 7 years old, they truly took the plunge when it came to raising pledges.  Colleen Montanari, Tim Krongard, Dale Krongard III, Daisy Gabler, Ayiana Gabler, Jules Martin, and team captain Cassandra Martin jumped into Crooked Lake in Anoka County February 11th. 

"'Freezin for a reason' is what they call the plunge, but it's so much more than that and even young children know its important" says Daisy Gabler.  Despite Mrs. Gabler's multiple attempts to convince her 7 year old to wait another year to join the team, Ayiana was determined to help out.  When Ayiana said, "I want to do it for the kids Mom, and I know its going to hurt" Mrs. Gabler couldn't tell her "no."  Ayiana raised her required plunge funds quickly and walked to the platform with her head held high.  As the team ran to the platform Ayiana found herself frozen before the count of 3 and alone on the platform she continued to smile and try to muster the guts to leap into the frozen lake.  Her mother stunned the crowd as she stood in the water for more than a couple minutes giving her daughter the chance to take the plunge.  Frozen from fear Ayiana was cheered on by the crown and onlooking supporters while the water EMTs carried her across to meet her team.  Despite a dramatic afternoon Ayiana is convinced she can do it next year and wishes to give it another shot! 

If you ask the team the plunge was exhilarating, nerve wracking and rewarding all at the same time.  After the plunge was over every last team member committed to jumping in 2013!  We're proud of our Boston's Designated Divers and wish to give a special thanks to all of their supporters who made donations on their behalf to support the MN Special Olympics!  What an amazing day it was!   

Read about it here:  http://abcnewspapers.com/2012/02/13/anoka-county-polar-bear-plunge-raises-90000-for-special-olympics-minnesota/

About The Polar Bear Plunge — presented by Minnesota law enforcement as part of the year-round Law Enforcement Torch Run® events to benefit Special Olympics — is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support Special Olympics athletes by jumping into frigid Minnesota waters. It consists of 16 different events that take place across Minnesota during the coldest months of the year. From January through March, our Plunge crew will be traveling around the state to 16 different communities with one goal in mind: raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota!
(http://www.plungemn.org/whatstheplunge)