This is the fourth year Watermark Brewing Company has co-hosted the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Southwest Michigan, and though the temperature will be low, the community support is high! On February 4th, 2023, 5781 St. Joseph Avenue in Stevensville will come alive with music, fundraising, pledges, and plunges, as spectators and participants gather to make an icy splash for this year’s event, presented by the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“We partner with a lot of community leaders who make this happen,” says Chris Mason, co-founder of Watermark Brewing Company. “Last year our area’s Plunge raised over $80k, and our goal this year is $100k!”
This annual fundraiser occurs all over the country, raising money to provide sports training, competitions, and health & wellness opportunities to our Special Olympics athletes. This year, Polar Plunge MI has added the ‘plungester’ to its Cool School Polar Plunge Initiative, where participating schools that raise over $500 by February 10th, can have a traveling Plunge Kit set up on site, where students and teachers can Be Bold and Get Cold for the Special Olympics.
The 2023 Southwest Michigan Polar Plunge will begin at Noon on February 4th, with check-in opening at 10 a.m, and Plungers can register on plunge day! The After-Splash Bash commences at 1:30 p.m, and Watermark Brewing Company welcomes live music by the Mike Struwin Band. Delicious beverages will be continuously flowing, and there will be a food truck from which to purchase eats.
“We have anywhere from 350 to 500 spectators,” says Chris. “Last year we had sixty registered plungers, and this year we already have one hundred and nineteen!”
Emceeing the days frozen festivities will be Brock Havens from The Plan B Morning Show on Rock 107 WIRX, and Jonny Reinhardt from The Morning Show on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM. Brave the chill and join the crowds of bystanders and plungers, as everyone dives into raising funds for Special Olympics Michigan.
To learn more about Polar Plunge, and to register or donate, please visit polarplungemi.org.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
PolarPlunge’22
