The twenty sixth Annual Particular Olympics Vermont Penguin Plunge was reimagined right into a 7-week lengthy “Penguin Plunge Season” to boost funds to help applications that enrich the lives of a neighborhood of over 5,000 Vermonters. The season culminated in a Penguin Plunge Celebration on March twenty seventh, which featured a Covid-compliant restricted in-person plunge and dwell streamed occasion. The Penguin Plunge is the biggest fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont (SOVT), and this 12 months, within the midst of a world pandemic, over $252,000 was raised by 500 individuals to help SOVT initiatives and programming. For the third 12 months in a row, the Union Mutual Popsicles had been the highest fundraising staff, elevating over $65,000.
“I’m so pleased with my staff and the Particular Olympics neighborhood, who’ve demonstrated the sort of grit our motion is all about,” stated SOVT President and CEO, Missy Siner Shea. “We centered on what is feasible, relatively than let ourselves be stymied by limitations. It’s the identical spirit Eunice Kennedy Shriver introduced when she based Particular Olympics over 50 years in the past. Particular Olympics Vermont confirmed actual management by safely, efficiently executing a beloved annual in-person occasion. Better of all, our sponsors and dedicated Plungers raised over 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 {dollars} to make sure well being, health and aggressive sport programming for Vermonters with mental disabilities. We’ve proven that not even a world pandemic will cease our mission to construct a extra inclusive future, not only for our athletes, however for all Vermonters.”
Through the Penguin Plunge Season, fundraisers had been inspired to point out their help for SOVT by plunging remotely and recording or taking photographs of their artistic options to the standard in-person plunge into Lake Champlain. All distant plunge submissions had been aired in the course of the live-stream of the limited-capacity Celebration occasion. The COVID-compliant, in-person plunge concerned 40 individuals made up of prime fundraisers, very long time plungers, and some fortunate random drawing winners. The live-stream was produced by The Media Manufacturing facility, and is accessible to view on SOVT’s YouTube Channel.
All funds raised by way of the Penguin Plunge help SOVT’s athletic coaching and competitors alternatives for each neighborhood and school-based applications, free well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont. As SOVT athlete board member and world chief, Daeton Orton says, “Particular Olympics has helped me socially, mentally, and bodily. It’s helped me in a whole lot of methods, giving me alternatives that I by no means thought I might have. It’s additionally given me the chance to have fun who I’m and my skill and it’s given me confidence in that.”
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been attainable with out the help of many sponsors and companions, presenting sponsor Xfinity, Group Financial institution N.A., Northfield Financial savings Financial institution, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, The Media Manufacturing facility, 95 Triple X, WVMT, 101.3 The Sport, WCAX, The Alchemist, Burlington Telecom, Burton, Carris Reels, Darn Robust, Essex Junction Recreation & Parks, Obtained That Leases, Hilton Burlington, Resort Vermont, Lake Champlain Candies, Mack Molding, Mount Mansfield Maple Merchandise, Myers, NBT Financial institution, Pete’s RV, Choose Design, Skida Headwear & Equipment, Starbucks, Stonyfield Natural, The Windjammer Group, Prime Hat Leisure and Twincraft Skincare. Particular Olympics Vermont can also be grateful for the help of the Burlington Parks & Recreation Division, the Burlington Fireplace Division and plenty of further volunteers who present the time and power to make this occasion attainable yearly.
For extra info please go to PenguinPlunge.org.
