Ten Years of Freezin' for a Reason, Saturday

From the Polish Falcons Club

For the 10 th straight year,, brave souls with warm hearts will heat up the chilly winter waters around Connecticut for a Special Olympics Connecticut 10^th Annual Middletown Penguin Plunge to be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Polish Falcons Club, Nest 519 on Crystal Lake in Middletown CT with all event proceeds going to Special Olympics Connecticut.  Registration on the day of the Plunge will be at 10AM, and the penguins will take the plunge starting at 12 noon. To register, join a team, make donations or volunteer please visit www.soct.org/penguinplunge.
 

This will be the 10^th year the Polish Falcons Club of Middletown has hosted this Penguin Plunge. It has raised over $300,000 the past nine years and supports the more then 8,000 Special Olympic athletes who train and compete in 22 year round sports, including 600 athletes from the Middlesex County region. Past plungers have included local high school and college students, civic groups, businesses and families and friends of our Special Olympic athletes. This year’s sponsors include Seasons Federal Credit Union, Kohl’s Department Stores, Bob’s Stores, Compressor Maintenance Service and Z Face and Body Art. . Supporters include Hunters Ambulance, South Fire District, Middletown Police Department and the New England Furriers Group The official penguin plunge t-shirt is given to those raising the minimum plunge amount of $50. Incentive prizes are based as the amount of money raised goes up. 

The craziness doesn’t stop there though. Awards are given to the most creatively dressed individual with the following awards:    Rock Hopper Award: Most Creatively Dressed

      Emperor Penguin Award: Individual who raises the most funds

      Emperor Club Award: Group or organization that raises the most funds

      Silver Penguin Award: Oldest penguin to plunge

      Arctic Hero Award:  Public safety department that raises the most funds

      Rockin’ Schoolhouse Award: School or club that raises the most funds

Web surfer Award: Individual that earns to most money on-line

Last year over 246 penguins ran, jumped, dove, and tip toed their way into the freezing water and the hearts of our athletes, and this year we are hoping for even more. The Penguin Plunge is not only open to the daring penguins that make a splash, but also to spectators who want to see it all for themselves!

For more information on how you or your organization can support this event, contact Marc Mercadante at marcm@soct.org or call 860 887-1555, ext 503