Eunice Kennedy Shiver founded the Special Olympics Organization, in 1968. It was globally formulated with the aim to provide specially-abled athletes, the opportunity to compete and thrive in the sports world. It also helped inculcate values of courage, friendship, and the human spirit. The organization primarily focuses on intellectually disabled athletes. Thus, ahead of the Special Olympics in Ohio, these Columbus residents are going out of their way to promote and raise funds for the community. 

In a recent article by NBC4i.com, the city’s locals assembled at Lower.com field on Saturday to dive into ice-cold pools and tubs. This effort was made to show support, and accumulate funds for the upcoming Special Olympics. Here’s what the participants had to say. 

Columbus citizens take a plunge for Special Olympics. 

As per the local NBC affiliate, the event was organized as a crowd-funding initiative for the cause, and has already raised an amount of $216,000. In what is being called the Polar Plunge, the participants enthusiastically jump into the freezing waters after raising $75. “It is instant pain, pure numbness, and then exhilaration from the endorphin rush,” said Charlie Murphy, a partaker. Reportedly, this year’s event gathered around 500 attendants that chipped in their support by hopping into the chilly fun.

Special Olympics Ohio chief development officer, Christine Hoyer addressed the event with fascination. She said, “It is a crowd-funding fundraiser that allows individual participants to do their own fundraising, but then when they show up, they get to jump into a pool that is just behind me. It’s all to support all of the programming that Special Olympics Ohio does.”

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Another plunger, Mike Hlavsa revealed, “It’s really cold but it’s always awesome. This is my fourth time jumping. I love this cause and we love giving back to the community.” Additionally, Hoyer stated that it was out of their expectations to receive such an enthralling response from the citizens and make the event an absolute success. Furthermore, there were also designated ‘warming tents’ to help locals warm up post-jumping. However, Murphy had planned to remedy the cold by grabbing a drink from the bar.

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The Special Olympics receives the appreciation of a number of icons. Throwing light on the great talents, Arnold Schwarzenegger once applauded a weightlifter at the event. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s acclaim for Kevin Cantrell. 

At the 2022 Special Olympics, Kevin Cantrell rose to fame after he aced a 501-lbs deadlift, leaving the spectators in awe. His performance went viral on social media. Correspondingly, ‘The Austrian Oak’ took to his Instagram to acknowledge his talent. 

Schwarzenegger wrote, “You inspire me, Kevin! Repost from @espn • Kevin Cantrell 🤝 500-pound club @specialolympics”. The event was held in Orlando, Florida, that served as a life-changing platform for Cantrell. 

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The locals’ approach to raising funds seemed effortlessly fun. Jumping into icy water, all for a good cause. Would you take a plunge for the athletes? Let us know in the comments.