Wisconsinites brave cold waters of Lake Monona in honor of Polar Plunge

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – 1000’s of Wisconsinites throughout the state are leaping into freezing chilly water all in assist of Particular Olympics Wisconsin.

Madisonians gathered at Olin Park Saturday to overcome Lake Monona. Tons of of members and their supporters raised cash for the group’s mission, which is to offer year-round sports activities coaching and athletic competitors in a wide range of Olympic-type sports activities for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities.

Planning Neighborhood Chair Shari Kaczmarski mentioned the occasion is the group’s greatest fundraiser of the 12 months and cash helps sporting competitions that aren’t accessible to everybody.

“It actually simply permits them to maintain going and for lots of those of us, after they’re with their Particular Olympics mates and athletes they really feel identical to they belong,” she mentioned. “If you concentrate on it, all people needs to belong to one thing, be accepted, really feel like they match it, and that is actually a household that they really feel like they belong.”

This was Morna Foi’s second 12 months collaborating within the Madison Polar Plunge.

“Final 12 months I used to be turning 60 and so I needed to do 60 new issues, so this was the primary one I did.”

Foi mentioned she can be leaping in honor of her buddy and colleague who has volunteered with Particular Olympics for over 20 years.

“Particular Olympics is nice,” Foi mentioned. “I simply noticed a t-shirt that mentioned ‘the one incapacity is to not strive issues’ and I like that.”

Since 1999 plungers and their supporters have raised practically $19 million for hundreds of Particular Olympics athletes right here in Wisconsin. To donate to their trigger go to https://polarplungewi.org/.

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