2024 Polar Plunge
The collection and teaming efforts for the Virginia Polar Plunges in 2024 has begun. Our team page for Bill Creighton's Ice Dippers is up and running.
50% of the funds pledged to our team DIRECTLY supports Area 26 athletes and programs, and the other 50% is managed by SOVA to support State Games costs and related expenses.
We depend on you…
Many in and around our community are unaware that we self-fund our local Northern Virginia program. This means WE have to pay for all of our uniforms, equipment, training sites and tournament rentals, and Competition entries. This program is only possible because of the generous donations and support we receive from YOU, and our local community. If you donate through the Area's Age of Shivery pages (links below), 50% of the plunge funds raised come directly to our area for the 2500 athlete participants here.
How you give matters...
The Plunges are only successful if everyone knows about them. Please pass the links along to family, friends and associates who might be interested in knowing more about Special Olympics Area 26 and helping out.
HOW will my money help?
As indicated above all donations to Polar Plunge go to the general funding of Special Olympics Virginia Sports Programs. Area 26 specifically receives a 50% share of the proceeds for our local program -
BUT ONLY IF YOU JOIN THROUGH ONE OF OUR PAGES, so please do!!
Your company can help, too..
As a recognized 501(c)3 Charity, your donation is eligible for Corporate Matching, if your employer offers this program. Thank you again... We sincerely appreciate all your support - we couldn’t do it without our amazing community of athletes and volunteers! We hope to see you at our Plunges, and at our various Area events!
You can help even if you don't directly support the plunge
In addition to donating on the web for the plunge, the Area can accept donations year-round by check that will directly support the local program 100%. If you wish to ensure your donation goes solely to Area 26 programs, you can mail in check donations made to Special Olympics Virginia with Area 26 in the memo line and send it to:
Special Olympics VA Area 26
PO Box 396, Oakton, VA 22124
Mosaic Plunge Day
Our chilliest album yet
As of 6pm on Plunge Day, Area 26 and the Age of Shivery is 90% of the way to our team goal for Plunge #1 Keep them donations commin'...
Global Messenger Takes the LEAP for The Age of Shivery
Here is Kyler Reese's assault on the frigid water...
Mosaic District, Virginia January 25th, 2020
How We got here
A Chilly hiStory...
The Special Olympics Virginia Polar Plunge dates back to 1993. Virginia’s Adventure Club East was looking for something fun and “extreme” to do in the middle of winter.
Coincidentally, Special Olympics Virginia was looking for new fundraising avenues. Soon, the two pieces came together. That first plunge, held at the Clarion Hotel, featured all of about 34 plungers and still raised almost $8,000.
In comparison, in 2013, the 16th annual Polar Plunge raised more than $900,000 for Special Olympics Virginia and more than 3,500 chilled souls took the plunge.
Because of this generous support, Special Olympics Virginia is able to provide year-round training and sports programs for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the state of Virginia.