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
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| Plunge during one of our time slots into one of our icy cold pools! | |
| Be the leader of your celebration (group of polar bears) and let the fun begin! | |
| Come be part of the fun, but stay on warm, dry land. |
#PhillyPlunge Schedule:
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| Cool Schools Plunge for High Schools 10am – 12pm |
Business Plunge for Business Executives 12pm – 2pm |
General Public Plunge for everyone! 5pm – 7pm |
University Plunge for College Students 7pm -9pm |
The first Philly Plunge makes a big splash! The plunge took place on Friday, December 4, 2015 outside of Drexel University’s Fitness Plaza in University City Philadelphia. A total of four plunges were held on this day including a Cool Schools Plunge, for high schools participating in Special Olympics PA’s Interscholastic Unified Sports (10:00am-12:00pm), a Business Plunge for business executives (12:00pm to 2:00pm), a General Public (5:00pm – 7:00pm), and a University Plunge for individuals affiliated with a college or university (7:00pm to 9:00pm). The inaugural Philadelphia Plunge hosted more than 300 plungers and raised more than $60,000.
Each group brought an extraordinary amount of energy with them to the plunge. It was hard to miss this outside event as the plunges started. If you were walking by Drexel’s Fitness Plaza, you would hear cheering and screams from participants as they popped up from under the chilly waters. Participants and spectators alike took to cheering on plungers as one-by-one they did a cannonball, a screwdriver, or just plain jumped in. As plungers came out of the pool, they were chilly, yet eager to watch other plungers take the cold jump.
Our Cool Schools Plunge hosted 5 schools who participate in our Interscholastic Unified Sports program along with staff from the School District of Philadelphia show their support in this chilly event. Our Business Plunge was emceed by comedian Joe Conklin who entertained our executive participants during their luncheon with special guest appearance by Former Philadelphia Eagles Coach, Dick Vermeil. The University Plunge got a special treat with Drexel University’s Head Basketball Coach, Bruiser Flint making remarks prior to students and staff members affiliated with a university taking the plunge.
During the Plunge, plungers warmed up by participating in a Unified Sports Experience, playing recreational bocce and/or volleyball with Special Olympics athletes. While waiting to plunge, participants also had the opportunity to snap pictures at the plunge photo booth and take photos with the official Philadelphia Plunge Polar Bear, “Chilladelphia.” For pictures, click the Plunge you are looking for: Cool Schools Plunge, Business Plunge, General Plunge, University Plunge
Huge thank you to all of our sponsors and partners, participants, volunteers and staff members who made this inaugural Philadelphia Polar Plunge a great success. We look forward to having a bigger and better #PhillyPlunge next year!
The 2015 Eastern Plunge: A Freezin’ Success! The Polar Plunge went swimmingly – no pun intended- on Saturday at Neshaminy State Park! Over 500 people came out to support Special Olympics and all were Freezin’ for a Reason! Major event partners were out in full force like Dunkin’ Donuts, Aerotek and the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporters. It was perfect weather for the occasion and we couldn’t be more thrilled with its turnout.
This event raised over $110,000, a percentage of which comes right here to the Philadelphia program! SOPA Philly is looking forward to being more involved in 2016 and earning an even larger percentage for our athletes and program. Check out these incredible photos, from your warm location, that really captured the day! Thank you to Cathy Poston from Tristate Media Productions for taking and sharing these photographs!
On Wednesday, January 21, Speedos, Policemen and Fox29 got together to participate in a Pre-Plunge at Neshaminy State Park Quincy and Chris O’Connell of Fox29 met up at Neshaminy State Park to pre-plunge in anticipation of the big East Plunge taking place this Saturday! Supporters of Special Olympics joined in this pre-event dip wearing anything from itsy bitsy speedos, to full on police uniforms!
Think you’ve got what it takes? Be sure to join us on Saturday, January 24 at Neshaminy State Park in Bensalem to PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS!! Registration available onsite! To find out more about the Eastern Polar Plunge, visit www.PlungePA.org.
Too chicken too plunge? That’s okay, we still love you! Come on out and support SOPA Philly anyway!
For more information about the plunge, visit www.PlungePA.org
It’s going to be an incredible 2015 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania – Philadelphia and what better way to start off a new year than by Freezin’ for a Reason at the 2015 Polar Plunge – THE OFFICIAL EVENT OF WINTER!
This 7-year tradition is taking place at Neshaminy State Park (3401 State Rd., Bensalem, PA 19020) on Saturday, January 24th from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Individuals from all walks of life are committing to raise $50 or more to Plunge their hearts out for thousands of Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes!
So get a thrill from the chill and join us!
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