Communities across Ohio are preparing to be “Freezin’ for a Reason” as the annual LETR Polar Plunge Season for Special Olympics Ohio (SOOH) gets ready to kick off. Last year, close to 2,000 participants from across the state plunged into lakes and pools, raising over $750,000 in support of the organization. In 2025, athletes, families, friends, businesses, community members, service organizations, law enforcement officials and first responders are all invited to take part in an in-person or virtual plunge in support of the 20,000 Special Olympics athletes throughout Ohio.
From the middle of January through the middle of March, eight plunges will be held across the state to fundraise as friends and supporters submerge themselves in an icy body of water. The virtual, Plunge My Way option to participate in the Polar Plunge is available again this year for those unable to join us at one of our in-person events.
“We are extremely grateful for the generous support of our amazing partners and participants who make it possible for us to produce this very unique and exciting event,” said Special Olympics Ohio President and CEO Jessica Stewart. “Funds and awareness generated by our LETR Polar Plunge events greatly assist Special Olympics Ohio athletes in achieving their dreams and celebrating inclusion in their communities.”
The impact of the Polar Plunge supports year-round sports training and competition, health education and leadership programs for 20,000 Special Olympics Ohio athletes. By fundraising $100 or more, participants help provide opportunities for athletes at no cost to them while creating a greater sense of belonging for everyone in the community.
Participation in the in-person or virtual events are open by visiting sooh.org or any of the following sites:
- Mosquito Lake: January 18, 2025: mosquitolakepolarplunge.org
- Greater Cincinnati at The Banks: January 25, 2025: cincypolarplunge.org
- Caesar Creek: February 1, 2025: caesarcreekpolarplunge.org
- Columbus at Lower.com Field: February 8, 2025: columbuspolarplunge.org
- Grand Lake: February 22, 2025: glsmpolarplunge.org
- Cleveland: downtown: February 22, 2025: clepolarplunge.org
- Indian Lake: March 15, 2025: indianlakepolarplunge.org
- Middletown: March 22, 2025: middletownpolarplunge.org
- Plunge My Way, virtual option entire month of February: plungemyway.org
About Special Olympics Ohio
Special Olympics Ohio is part of the global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs to empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition in 19 different sports for 20,000 children and adults, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.