Polar Plunge for a good cause in Sault Ste. Marie

It's about that time -- that stir-crazy point in the winter when you need to go do something active, get out of the house, maybe dress up a little. Like in a superhero cape and Spandex, right before you jump through a hole in the ice into some really, really cold water.

Yup, it's Polar Plunge time again. You can find one almost anywhere in the U.P. to participate in, and the tradition has even become a charity event, benefiting Special Olympics of Michigan.
    
For instance, the one planned this Saturday, Feb 18, at St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie is hosted by the 2012 Law Enforcement Torch Run. Registration starts at 9 a.m., you take the plunge at 10 a.m., and are receiving awards by 11:30 a.m. (Those take place in the warm indoors of Zim's, by the way.)

All you have to bring is a $75 donation (often sponsored by friends and family), a crazy costume to jump in the water with, and a good dose of cabin-fever courage. Last year, more than 50 people participated, raising more than $5,000 for Special Olympics of Michigan.

You also can pre-register online here if you prefer, but on-site registrations are welcome too. And, if the whole thing is a little too insane for you, you can still collect donations, attend the post-plunge party, and get a "Too Chicken to Plunge" t-shirt in honor of your contributions.

Other Polar Plunges are planned January through March in Alpena, Battle Creek, Belleville, Brighton, Caro, Cheboygan, Chippewa Lake,  Clarklake, Detroit, Edwardsburg, Fenton, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Lansing Capitol,  Lake City, Marquette, Monroe, Mount Pleasant, Muskegon, Stanton, Traverse City and Ypsilanti.

In Sault Ste. Marie, the event also is sponsored by Sam's Club, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Fox 23 News, Zim's, LSSU Student Government, and 9&10 News.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Special Olympics Michigan