Brandywine Realty Trust hosted the First Ever Philly Plunge Kickoff on Wednesday, August 8th at the Commerce Square Court Yard. Music, water ice, and beach balls were all the things necessary to cool off from the hot day where temperatures were reaching the low nineties. Brandywine Realty Trust helped us excite people for the Philadelphia Polar Plunge that will be held on November 30th at Drexel University’s Recreation Center (3301 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104) between 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Unlike the Kickoff, the weather during the Philadelphia Polar Plunge will hopefully be a brisk day where brave souls will jump into a freezing pool and be #FreezinForAReason. The Philadelphia Polar Plunge is Philadelphia’s premiere fundraiser, where the goal is to raise funds for all of our programming as well as awareness for our athletes and programs.
PJ Brown & Her Resistance headlined the event on a stage that was centered in the courtyard. As people flowed in and out of the courtyard for lunch, Kristin Lewis, author of You Are Special, was also on-site selling her book and signing copies! Music, snacks, and books were outside and if attendees wanted to cool off, they had to look no further than Pagano’s Market & Bar who ran a drink special to support the Philadelphia Polar Plunge. In addition to the fun, Brandywine Realty Trust and Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia had raffles that attendees could win. The hot day couldn’t contain the enthusiasm of Special Olympics staff, who were there to help answer questions about the Philly Plunge and share their experiences. As the event continued, people were chatting about the plunge and ideas were popping into everyone’s minds for costumes, business wear and ways to help out Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia. The kickoff was not only a success but it reminded everyone that with all of us together that we can create a community of love and inclusion for all.
Thank you to Brandywine Realty Trust, PJ Brown & Her Resistance, Kristin Lewis, and Pagano’s Market & Bar for their support of the Philly Plunge!
For more information on the Philadelphia Plunge, click here. To register for this year’s Philly Plunge, click here.
The 2017 Philadelphia Polar Plunge was a huge success! Prep for the event happened on Thursday, November 30th to ensure that the water would be nice and chilly for Plungers. On Friday, December 1, 2017, more than 500 Plungers took to the water during three different plunge times. The first temperature reading of the morning was a refreshing fifty degrees. Chilladelphia, the Philadelphia Polar Plunge mascot, was out and about ready for photos and anyone who would challenge her to a dance-off.
Plunge day started with our Cool Schools Plunge where high schools from Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.Schools participating in this year’s plunge included Abraham Lincoln, Audenreid Charter, Cheltenham, Frankford, Furness, George Washington, High School of the Future, Lansdale Catholic, North Penn, Northeast, Parkway West, Philadelphia Academy Charter, Souderton High School, Strath Haven, Sun Valley, and Universal Daroff. Plungers in this session had a wonderful activity provided by HYPE (Healthy You, Positive Energy) and led by peers from Northeast High School. During the activity, students learned how water is important for their health, decided on a way to increase their own personal water consumption, and how they can promote this message within their school. After plunging, our high school students and chaperones got lunches provided by Pagano’s Market and Bar as they headed back to school to thaw out.
After our high schoolers, we had our Business Plunge where business executives and government officials joined by some Special Olympics PA – Philadelphia athletes enjoyed a hot lunch provided by Pagano’s Market and Bar and hosted by John Clark, while mascots Franklin, Phanatic, and Swoop, entertained the crowd along with the Philadelphia Polar Plunge mascot, Chilladelphia.Clark introduced the keynote speaker, new Philadelphia Phillies manager, Gabe Kapler, who gave a heartfelt speech on his move to Philadelphia, how transformative sports can be for everyone and his support for Special Olympics and everyone in the room.
The last group to take the plunge were our University students and the general public. CBS Radio personalities, Spike Eskin from 94WIP and Bennet from Today’s 96.5 kicked things off as the sunset, leaving plungers with a chilly night. Right before our plungers took to the pool, our ice sculpture artist took some chunks and added them to the plunging pool. After the plunge finished, participants continue the fun with a post-Plunge Splash Party at Wahoo’s!
SoulCycle Pass – Georgia Brantley
Philadelphia Soul Tickets – Bruce Carter
Philadelphia Theatre Package (Walnut Street Theatre & The Arden Theatre Company) – Brian Monihan
Signed Philadelphia Eagles Lane Johnson Photo – Michael Puma
Outside Philadelphia Theatre Package (Delaware Theatre Company &People’s Light) – Bruce Carter
Bread for a Year from Panera Bread – Tim McLaughlin
DICK’S Sporting Goods Gift Card – Tessa Dermoss
Yards Brewing Co. Gift Basket – Georgia Brantley
Target Gift Card – Jackie Lutts
PHILADELPHIA RUNNER Gift Card – Emmy
Shake Shack Gift Card – M Diaz
Philadelphia Phillies Photo & Rally Towel – Zisette Family
Philadelphia Phillies Scarf – Lisa Barbour
Wawa Gift Basket – Sarah DeNight
Photos on our Facebook Page
GIF Photos provided by PhotoboothProfessional