If you see a polar bear on Butler’s campus, don’t be alarmed. In fact, be encouraged. Junior Butler Ambassadors for Special Olympics (BASO) co-chair Alyssa Del Priore dressed as the Polar Plunge polar bear mascot on Wednesday, January 17—better known as “super sign-up day”—to encourage her fellow students to take the Polar Plunge.
“We got over 400 people to sign up in one day,” Del Priore said. “I wanted to get as many people as possible, so I put on the polar bear suit and walked around campus. Although we got a bunch of people to sign up, we really encourage everyone to not only sign up but also fundraise and show up to the event!”
During Butler’s ninth annual Polar Plunge, which will take place on February 10 at 9:00 AM outside the Health and Recreation Center, participants will jump into a pool of freezing water to benefit the Washington Township chapter of Special Olympics.
The goal is to raise $60,000 to help support sports training and athletic competition for more than 13,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes. BASO is about 25 percent of the way toward that goal.
The Polar Plunge is now 16 years old. Most of the events take place on college campuses “because there is a big support system within campuses and it promotes inclusivity and raises money for a great cause,” Del Priore said.
But Butler’s Polar Plunge is not only for Butler students.
“Anyone can participate,” DelPriore said. “Students, faculty, members of the Butler/Indianapolis community, family members, friends, anyone and everyone as long as they are at least 15 years of age or a freshman in high school.”
Although jumping into the body of water will be the main attraction, there will also be various activities and games that will bring the Butler community and athletes of the Special Olympics together.
Alyssa’s Fundraising Tips
- Don’t be afraid to ask. Most people will be willing to donate once they learn about the cause.
- Tell them why you are plunging
- Stress what Special Olympics means to you
- Tell them who it is for
- Speak up about your fundraising goal is so everyone can help you achieve it
- To sign up or donate, click the link below. https://www.firstgiving.com/soindiana/plunge-butler-2018