Polar Plunge benefit planned at Mosquito Lake

Staff report

CORTLAND

Special Olympics Ohio’s 2012 Mosquito Lake Polar Plunge, the first of nine plunges scheduled throughout Ohio in 2012 to benefit Special Olympics Ohio, is set for Jan. 21 at Mosquito Lake State Park.

Registrations are being accepted for this “Freezin’ for a Reason” fundraising campaign and also for those who want to participate in the companion “Too Chicken to Plunge” activity.

Participants obtain a minimum $75 in monetary pledges ($50 for students) and then agree to jump or slowly crawl into the frigid waters of Mosquito Lake to earn their pledges.

“Too Chicken to Plunge” participants raise a minimum of $30 and receive a “Too Chicken to Plunge” T-shirt. Also, teams of chickens may be formed to support plungers.

Registration information and all necessary forms are available at sooh.org or by calling 614-239-7050. All Mosquito Lake activities, with the exception of the actual plunge at the Mosquito Lake bay located between the beach and marina parking, are at Cortland Family Moose Center 1012, 6400 state Route 46.

Pre-registration and early check-in for those already registered is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Day-of-event registration and check-in is from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

A costume contest is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the plunge takes place at 1:30 p.m. A post-plunge party will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

Special Olympics Ohio provides year-round sports training and competition opportunities for 23,000 adults and children with intellectual disabilities.