The twenty fifth Annual Burlington & Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge was held on Saturday, February 1st on the Burlington Waterfront. Over 1,200 individuals braved the weather and plunged into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain to indicate their help for the Particular Olympics athletes in Vermont. The Penguin Plunge is the biggest fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont, and this yr, over $614,000 was raised to help sports activities coaching and competitors alternatives throughout native and college packages, well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont.
“This yr’s Burlington & Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge was an enormous success,” stated Particular Olympics Vermont President & CEO, Missy Siner Shea. “We’re so grateful for the help of our group, it’s leaders and companies, all of whom, by way of their involvement, make a press release that they consider within the impactful work of Particular Olympics and are dedicated to constructing a extra inclusive future for us all.”
The Cool Faculties Plunge happened at 11am, with the workforce from Champlain Valley Union Excessive Faculty main the best way as the highest fundraising workforce. The 155-member workforce raised nearly $35,000. The Burlington Plunge began at midday, and the Union Mutual Popsicles had been the highest fundraising workforce for the second yr in a row. Union Mutual blew final yr’s document out of the water. Because of their 64-member workforce, led by President & CEO Michael Nobles, they raised $133,350 – practically tripling the $44,000 they raised in 2019.
All funds raised by way of the Penguin Plunge go in direction of Particular Olympics Vermont’s native and school-based packages that exist to foster consciousness and inclusion of individuals with mental disabilities through the use of the facility of sport to showcase their presents and skills. As athlete, William Perrotte says, “At first, I used to be nervous to fulfill everybody, however taking part (in Particular Olympics Vermont) helped to construct understanding and I turned associates with individuals I by no means thought I’d earlier than. Everybody will get handled the identical and nobody is omitted.”
This yr, the Penguin Plunge loved sturdy help from a number of B-Firms from throughout Vermont. Licensed B-Firms are required to think about the influence of their selections on their employees, clients, suppliers, group, and the surroundings. Collectively, B-Corps raised nearly $24,000, by groups from Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Rhino Meals, Lake Champlain Sweets, Burton, Mascoma Financial institution and Suncommon. Along with fundraising, lots of the companies above, together with Ben & Jerry’s, Vermont Creamery, Stonyfield Natural, The Alchemist, Bee’s Wrap and Gardener’s Provide supplied important donations of meals and gadgets to make use of as fundraising incentives.
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been potential with out the help of our many sponsors and companions, presenting sponsor Xfinity, Group Financial institution N.A., Northfield Financial savings Financial institution, Darn Robust, NBT Financial institution, Bluebird Barbecue, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, NorthCountry Federal Credit score Union, Skida Headwear & Equipment, The Vermont Flannel Firm, Choose Design, 95 Triple X, WVMT and WCAX. Particular Olympics Vermont can be grateful for the help of Vermont Tent Firm, Bourne’s Power, the Burlington Parks & Recreation Division, the Burlington Fireplace Division and the Norwich Cadets who make this occasion potential yearly by way of offering time, vitality, in-kind donations, and extra.
For extra data please go to PenguinPlunge.org
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http://www.specialolympicsvermont.org/
Click on right here to view photographs from the 2020 Penguin Plunge.
