Liberty Athletics Continues Partnership with Special Olympics' Polar Plunge
2/8/2012 12:00:00 AM | General
Special Olympics Virginia and Liberty Athletics are hosting the Hill City Polar Plunge Festival on Feb. 25 at Hydaway Lake in Lynchburg, Va., with all profits benefiting Virginia's Special Olympics athletes. The festival will begin at 11 a.m. and is a family-friendly event featuring games, live bands, food and the plunge into the lake. The Polar Plunge will occur at 2 p.m.
"When people hear the name 'Special Olympics,' they tend to think of sports, but in truth we are really about building a bigger, better community for our athletes. An event like the Hill City Polar Plunge Festival is the perfect way for families in the community to come together and see firsthand the respect, inclusion and unity that makes Special Olympics so unique," Director Josh Walker said.
"Liberty Athletics considers it an honor to partner annually with Special Olympics Virginia for this great event," commented Liberty Athletics' Senior Woman Administrator, Meredith Eaker. "Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) has spearheaded our department's involvement from the event's inception four years ago. With the growth in interest from our student-body and community, we are looking for this year's event to set records in both participation and in funds raised."
The Hill City Polar Plunge Festival is in its fourth year and raised over $12,000 last year. Through polar plunge events and other fundraisers organized by the Special Olympics Virginia, all athletes can participate in Special Olympics sports for free.
"The funds raised through the Hill City Polar Plunge Festival make it possible for the Special Olympics athletes to enjoy the same experiences that many of us have cherished in our own lives," Walker said. "Through this festival, Liberty University has given the Lynchburg community the opportunity to demonstrate their belief in our athletes."
In addition to Liberty Athletics, Special Olympics Virginia has teamed with Innovations – the public relations student-run firm at Liberty University – in the planning of the event. The firm currently has four clients, with the Special Olympics Virginia being its largest.
"The Innovations team is thrilled to partner with the Special Olympics Virginia. Planning and promoting the Polar Plunge has given our firm members great experience. We are excited to see the entire process come together at the festival." said Haley Collins, Innovations Account Executive.
To date, 170 people have registered to run into Hydaway Lake. The fundraising minimum to participate is $50, but there is no cost to attend the festival. Other sponsors of the Hill City Polar Plunge include Cici's Pizza, Liberty Dining by Sodexo, AT&T and PIP Printing.
For more information on the event, visit http://www.polarplunge.com/HillCityPlunge, or contact Director Josh Walker at jwalker@specialolympicsva.org or at (434)249-7469. Additionally, those who wish to participate by either donating or plunging, may click here to register or commit funds online.
The Special Olympics of Virginia serves more than 10,000 athletes through seven regional offices and 30 area programs, including the Piedmont Region which serves Lynchburg and surrounding areas. The organization hosts over 2,000 events every year, including seven state-wide competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
