The Upper Perkiomen School District is known for being involved in the Special Olympics and Unified Sports, but just like any other extracurricular, it needs funds to continue. That’s why UPSD is participating in this year’s Polar Plunge at Citizens Bank Park.
The Polar Plunge is one of the events that the Unified School Program runs. Leading up to the event of going to Citizen’s Bank Park, students raise money for busing and other supplies for the Special Olympics.
Citizen’s Bank Park holds a Plunge for schools on Friday, January 31st, and one for the public the following Saturday. This was not the case until 3 years ago. Unified Bocce Coach, Mr. Thrush told the WSJ, “For years, the event would be held at the school that raised the most money the previous year.”
When Upper Perk became a Unified School in 2018, they began participating in events to give back to the community. The Polar Plunge is the largest fundraiser that all unified schools have the chance to do. This event raises money to not only send Upper Perk students to Citizen’s Bank Park but to fundraise for the Special Olympics as well. The money raised from the event funds uniforms, equipment, materials, events, and necessities for the Special Olympics teams.
A lot of work goes into this event. The PA Special Olympics organizes the Plunge at Citizen’s Bank Park, while each school organizes its own fundraising and plunge.
On the day of the event, the Plungers will leave for Citizen’s Bank Park between 10 and 10:30. When they arrive, they register and get their scheduled time. There is plenty of downtime for the participants to partake in various games before going into tents and changing into a different set of clothes. They usually get back to UP by the end of the school day.
The Polar Plunge is about more than sending students to jump into icy cold waters; it raises money for a good cause. Donations for the Plunge are still being accepted until January 31st. If a student wants to go to Citizen’s Bank Park to plunge into the freezing pool, they can sign up and donate for the chance to go or give a pledge of $35 to secure a seat.
