General Information -- Awards -- FAQ's
This is the third year of *Polar Plunge: The Charleston Chiller*. With this in mind, we expect you might have a some questions that we can address.
Every plunger will earn incentives based on the amount of the contribution.
$50 Participation in the plunge and t-shirt
$200 Sweatshirt along with plunge and t-shirt
$350 Fleece jacket along with sweatshirt, t-shirt and chilling plunge
$500 Gift certificate for dinner at either Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster or Tidewater, fleece jacket, sweatshirt, t-shirt and plunge
Incentives will be distributed at the plunge registration site at Appalachian Power Park, with prizes for top money earners provided at the post plunge party at the Power Alley Grill immediately following the event. To qualify for Individual and Team awards, all contributions must be turned in prior to the plunge.
Below are some questions we believe plungers might ask. Should you have additional questions not answered below, please give us a call at 1-800-926-1616 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Who can plunge?
Anyone can plunge - young and old alike. If you are under 18, your
parent or legal guardian will need to sign your release form. All plungers over
18 years of age will also need to sign a release
form prior to taking the plunge.
How do I go about registering for the Polar Plunge?
You may register by taking one of the following steps to obtain a Polar Plunge
pledge form: download the
form or
register online, or pick up a brochure at the Special Olympics West Virginia office and
bring it along with your donation to registration on the day of the plunge. You
may also pre-register by contacting the Special Olympics West Virginia office at
1-800-926-1616.
What's the minimum donation required?
$50 in donations allows you the privilege of plunging and you will get a
one-of-a-kind Polar Plunge t-shirt as well as bragging rights. $200 in donations
provides you with a Polar Plunge sweatshirt along with t-shirt. $350 gets you a
fleece jacket along with the sweatshirt and t-shirt. And, $500 and up earns you
the t-shirt, sweatshirt, fleece jacket, and a gift certificate for dinner at
your choice of Olive Garden, Outback, Red Lobster or Tidewater.
When is the Plunge?
The *Polar Plunge: The Charleston Chiller* is February 7, 2009. Registration
begins at 4:30 p.m. and the plunging gets underway at 6:00 p.m.
Where will the plunge be held?
Inside beautiful Appalachian Power Park in downtown Charleston.
What IS the actual plunge?
Plungers will be given the option of slowly entering the water one step at a
time or jumping for those a little bolder (*no diving*, but belly flops may be
permitted and judged for style points). A swimming pool approximately 4 1/2 feet
in depth and filled with cold water will be used. Plungers set their own goals
on how deep and how long they want to stay in the water (within safety limits of
course). Some plungers only get their ankle and knees wet while others go all
out and play in the water for a while.
How does the plunge occur?
Just prior to the plunge, all of the crazy and excited plungers will come
together in a designated area on the baseball field near home plate for a safety
briefing. Once the briefing is over, the plungers will line up and begin to
enter the water either individually or as a pair. How deep you go and how
long you stay are up to you.
What if I'm cold or get cold easily?
You may wear a coat, robe, sweatshirt or other warm clothing up to the last
possible moment before entering the water. Emergency personnel will be on site.
Where can I change before and after the plunge?
The clubhouse at Appalachian Power Park will be available to change clothes. You
may want to have a sweatshirt, jacket or loose fitting item of clothing to put
on immediately after exiting the pool for the walk (or in some cases run) to the
clubhouse. Don't forget to bring a towel and change of clothes!
I can't collect all my pledges before the plunge, what do I do?
We can only register you for the amount of donations you bring with you to the
plunge registration. Cash pledges and separate checks are fine and should be
made payable to Special Olympics West Virginia. If you get donations after the
plunge, you can mail them to Special Olympics West Virginia, 1206 Virginia
Street East, Suite 100, Charleston, WV 25301 (printable form).
Wait until after you plunge to indulge in adult beverages! Pair up with a
friend to get one hotel room. One can stay Friday night, one can stay Saturday
night, all can enjoy that shower without check-out/in worries!