Polar Plunge to Benefit Area Special Olympics

Westview High School Charger football players, along with head coach Jarod Neal, took the plunge at Aloha Pools and Spas in 2021 to help raise money for Special Olympians in Upper West Tennessee.

Special Olympics of Upper West Tennessee USA National Games athlete, Garrett Dinning of Martin, took the plunge last year for the annual Polar Plunge and plans to make another visit to this year's event.

UNION CITY (January 28) – The 11h Annual Polar Plunge is an event hosted by Special Olympics Upper West Tennessee set to be held on Saturday, February 12, at Aloha Pools and Spas in Union City. This event is an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics of Upper West Tennessee. Funds raised from the Polar Plunge will benefit more than 300 athletes in Special Olympics activities in Lake, Obion, Weakley, Henry and Carroll counties.

Participants can register for the in-person event at Aloha Pools and Spas in Union City, better yet, they can join a group of friends to form a plunge team. Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $75 to receive the official 2022 Polar Plunge T-shirt and bragging rights for being the coolest person in Northwest Tennessee. The more money raised means more prizes and incentives. Those wanting to take the plunge can go to polarplungetn.com, click Union City, to register. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the plunge starts at noon. Special Olympics of Upper West Tennessee USA National Games athlete, Garrett Dinning of Martin, will be taking the plunge.

Can’t make it to the plunge? You can still donate at polarplungetn.com. Click Union City and then donate.

The mission of Special Olympics of Upper West Tennessee is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The experience gives participants continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Full participation is granted to every athlete regardless of his or her economic circumstances. The ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition.