Jenna Maring, Social Work Senior in the Day Program, took the "Plunge" for Special Olympics on March 3, 2007

Taking the Plunge!
The Torch Run and the Polar Plunge

Worldwide Mission

The mission of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is to raise funds for, and awareness of, the Special Olympics movement worldwide. Law enforcement officers and personnel from the 50 United States, 10 Canadian provinces and territories and more than 35 nations carry the "Flame of Hope" in honor of Special Olympics athletes in their area and around the world. Special Olympics is a program which reaffirms the beliefs that with hope and dedication, we can see achievement and self-worth realized by any individual. At its most fully developed, the Torch Run initiative encompasses a variety of fundraising vehicles in addition to the Torch Run itself, such as T-shirt or merchandise sales, donations or pledges for runners in the Torch Run, corporate donations, special events such as Polar Bear Plunges, Tip-a-Cop and other events that have local appeal.

In Minnesota In 2004, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Minnesota involved more than 600 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 75 agencies throughout the state. Their tremendous efforts raised more than $460,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota. In 2006, participation across the state continues to increase not only in the Final Leg of the movement but with law enforcement taking the initiative to coordinate new special events/fundraisers such as the Polar Bear Plunge and Tip-a-Cop. The Minnesota Torch Run is supported by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association, Minnesota F.O.P. and the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association.

About the Special Olympics

excerpt from Special Olympics website

PHILOSOPHY

Special Olympics Minnesota is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports, adapted as necessary to meet the needs of those with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Special Olympics Minnesota believes that consistent training is essential to the development of sports skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.

Special Olympics Minnesota believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.

The Jenna Maring Interview
special for BSW Frontpage

Jenna Maring, how did you first find out about The Plunge? I had first heard of the Polar Plunges when my roommate, Megan, began interning for Special Olympics in January of 2006. Since then, she has been employed by Special Olympics as an Event Coordinator. She mentioned in early January that they were planning to hold a plunge in Minneapolis at Lake Calhoun for the very first time and asked if I would be interested in putting a team together. I told her I thought it was crazy, but said that I would talk to some people to see what they thought. I was able to round up my boyfriend and two of our good friends and we all registered and began seeking donations from family, friends, coworkers, and people in the community. We were pretty overwhelmed and excited by all of the people who were willing to sponsor us.

What did you expect the event to be like? I had heard stories from Megan's experiences working at the plunges but I honestly had no idea what to expect as an actual plunger. Leading up to the event, I heard that they were expecting a lot of people to turn out and that the local radio stations were also getting involved in advertising and giving out prizes at the event, so I figured there would be a lot of people. As the event got closer, I found myself asking more and more about the details... "So how cold is the water exactly?" "Do we have to dunk our heads under?" "How do we warm up when it's done?" "Have people gotten sick doing this?" My friend Megan was actually plunging at this event for the very first time as well and equally shared my concerns even though she had seen in done a bunch of times! My expectations were succeeded the day of the actual event from all of the people who turned out to plunge and support the cause. It was touching to see so many people getting together and having fun to help out Special Olympics.

Tell us about the actual event, what did you do leading up to The Plunge? The event was started at Famous Dave's Barbeque and Blues in Calhoun Square where there were food and drink specials supporting the event. Shuttles ran back and forth from Famous Dave's to that Lake before, during, and after the event. One of the DJ's from KDWB was there to get everyone "fired up" to jump in. There were 260 plungers and together we raised over $50,000 for Special Olympics to use to cover travel expenses, training and other costs for athletes and year-round Special Olympics programs. My team was one of the last to go. We were separated into men's and women's dressing tents and gathered in the main warming tent before it was our turn. When our team was called, we ran out onto the ice on the lake to where there was a hole cut about 10-20 feet from the shore. There was a guy dressed up in tights and a cape who blew a horn to make it pretty festive as we ran out. Megan, Emily, and I lined up on the platform before our other team members, Ben and Grant, held hands and jumped in! The water was about chest deep. It completely took my breath away and I remember just trying to run out of there as fast as I could! There were about 5 hot tubs set up by the warming tents and the run on shore from the lake to the tubs was the worst part for me!! I just remember running past people and bombarding into the nearest hot tub. We warmed up pretty fast and ended up just sitting in there and relaxing while we spoke with some friends and family members who had come to watch. The greatest part of the whole thing was that from the minute we ran out on the lake and for about a good 10 minutes sitting in the hot tub, I just laughed and laughed. I thought it was so much fun and such a funny thing to do to raise money. It was really neat to see how involved people got by dressing up in costumes and jumping in a second time. We all had a blast during the whole event.

So how do you connect Generalist Social Work Practice and jumping into an ice-cold lake for charity? The General Practice Definition states that we "dedicate ourselves to helping those who are most in need, who are most vulnerable, and whose welfare is most threatened," I think that the Special Olympics Organization shares these similar values and objectives in helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities achieve their potential as athletes, teammates, and as individuals through friendly competition that brings out each individual's skills, strengths, and courage. I think this population is often times vulnerable to preconceived notions of disability and weakness, when in reality; there is great strength, potential, and ability in each person with a disability. I also feel like this event was a unique way of "problem-solving" as a way to raise money and create a fun-filled, caring, safe atmosphere for those involved. I also felt that the event emphasized "respect for client self-determination and use of client strengths with empowerment as an expected client system outcome," in that Special Olympic athletes and their families often participate in the plunges and look forward to helping out with the event. The Polar Plunge was made possible by community involvement and is also a tool to create awareness and support for people with disabilities and in supporting programs that are available in bringing out their strengths and self-determination.

Looking back, what surprised you the most about the event? I guess I was just surprised at the high amount of people who came out to show their support by plunging or watching. It was very touching to see the compassion people felt for the cause and the whole atmosphere was one of great comradery.

Did you know of any other social workers involved? There weren't any other social workers that I know of who actually plunged in the event, but I had some great support from social workers in the program at Augsburg and from my field placement as well.

Finally, when it was all over, and you were sitting in the hot tub, how did you feel - and would you do it AGAIN? As I mentioned earlier, I just laughed and smiled the entire time we sat in the hot tub. We met others who had plunged who felt the same way. It felt great to be able to give a portion of my time to help out such a great organization and have fun with friends, family, and other members of the community as well. If anyone is interested in participating in future Polar Plunges, donating or volunteering for Special Olympics they can visit the website at "http://www.specialolympicsminnesota.org/ or email Megan Wieme, Event Coordinator, at wiemem@somn.org. I will absolutely do it again! As my team members and I sat in the hot tub at the end, we actually started planning out what plunge we were going to participate in next year, our new costumes, and all these great ideas for next time. We're all looking forward to it and can't wait to take the plunge for Special Olympics next year