MEDFORD – Hundreds of goose-pimpled Rogue Valley residents line up before the frigid waters of Medford’s Hawthorne Park swimming pool. It’s a chilly Saturday morning; people should still be bundled up beneath quilts and blankets asleep.
But they were not.
Saturday, Feb. 6 marked Medford’s inaugural participation in the Polar Plunge, a national charity supporting the Special Olympics.
Plungers donate a minimum of $50 for an opportunity to dive into a swimming pool filling with frigid water. The statewide goal is $200,000, to which Medford jumpers added $23,588, during the event.
Polar Plunge was initiated by the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a national charity in support of the Special Olympics. The event has been previously hosted in Portland, Ore. and Bend, Ore., but this is the first year for the Oregon towns of Corvallis, Eugene and Medford. Those who wanted to contribute but remain warm and dry donated online and were anonymously designated as, “too chicken to plunge!”
Among the 200 thick-skinned swimmers were Medford Police Chief Randy Schoen, Deputy Chief Tim George and Miss Josephine County, Joanna Knower.
I’m “trying not to think about it,” Knower said prior to the plunge. “I figure if I’m in denial up to 30 seconds before, I’ll probably make it.”
Knower, and the other divers endured an approximate 45 degree rush of water pool and above ground temperature, but to them, it’s more than worth it.
“Supporting nonprofits and charities helps build community and that’s one the opportunities I have as Miss Josephine County,” said Knower who is also a junior at Southern Oregon University. “The Special Olympics give people opportunities to achieve something great, and I support that.”
Eugene, Corvallis and Bend plan to take the plunge next week, hoping to surpass the state goal of $200,000.
