Wednesday, Mar. 03, 2010

'Polar Plunge' by Chowchilla police raises $18,000 for Special Olympics

More than 90 plungers, some dressed in outlandish costumes, faced the icy waters of Millerton Lake last Saturday to raise money for Special Olympics.

Friends, family and supporters stood on the banks of the lake under cloudy skies to cheer the plungers on. Nineteen teams each took their turn, some slowly and others rushing right on into the chilly water, to collect their donations for the worthy cause.

Law enforcement teams from Madera Police Department, Chowchilla Police Department, Madera California Highway Patrol, Farmersville Police Department, Turlock Police Department and Selma Police Department participated in the event. Madera County District Attorney Michael Keitz was a member of the Madera CHP team.

The top three teams included Madera PD raised $4,000; Chowchilla PD came in second raising $3,415 and the Turlock PD Tur-Lockness Monsters came in third raising $3,250. Juan Webb from the Madera PD team took first place raising the most funds for an individual with $2,775. Sgt. Dave Noblett from the Chowchilla PD came in second raising $1,950.

The size of the teams ranged anywhere from two to 22 members. One of the Turlock teams captured the best costumes with Doreen's Delicious Ducks. Other teams were dressed Hawaiian, Polar Pigs, with Chowchilla's theme being the Blue Crew.

The Polar Plunge has become an increasingly important fundraiser for Special Olympics Northern California. Special Olympics provides free, year-round training for some 2,000 developmentally disabled athletes in the greater Fresno area.

More than 13,000 Special Olympics athletes compete in more than 170 competitions throughout the region in 12 sports.

The Polar Plunge is organized much like a walk-a-thon. Participants obtain donations from people who sponsor them to enter the chilly waters.

Participating on the Chowchilla PD Team was Police Chief Jay Varney, Sgt. Dave Noblett, Sgt. Dave Riviere, Office Tyler Hormel and honorary member of the team was Rhett Noblett. Cheering the team on was Chowchilla's own Safety Pup.

"This is an amazing program that enables a lot of people to participate in a sporting event they wouldn't otherwise be able to take part in," stated Noblett. "Facing the cold waters of Millerton Lake in February is nothing compared to what these special athletes face on a daily basis. They look up to us as heroes but in actuality they are the real heroes."