Final days to register for White Bear Lake Polar Bear Plunge

Event to be held Jan. 29 in support of Special Olympics Minnesota

WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – Jan. 21, 2011 – More than 1,100 adrenaline junkies are expected to be "freezin' for a reason" Saturday, Jan. 29 as they jump into frozen water for the White Bear Lake Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics Minnesota. It's not too late to join the "cool crowd" — interested participants can register online at www.plungemn.org through noon on Friday, Jan. 28 or turn in their registration form at the event. Registration forms are available online at www.plungemn.org. All participants must raise at least $75 before they Plunge.

Presented by law enforcement, the White Bear Lake Polar Bear Plunge will begin at noon, Saturday, Jan. 29 at White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Avenue N in White Bear Lake. Pre-registration will be offered Thursday, Jan. 27, 5–8 p.m. at Jimmy's Food and Drink, 1132 County Road E East in Vadnais Heights, and day-of registration will be held 9 a.m.–noon, also at Jimmy's. Judging for a costume contest will be held at Jimmy's at 11 a.m.

The 14 Polar Bear Plunge fundraisers statewide help Special Olympics Minnesota offer year-round sports training and competition to more than 6,800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. At the 2010 White Bear Lake Plunge, 850 people took the cold dive, raising more than $150,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota. Participants often plunge in teams of coworkers, friends or club members and raise money by asking for pledges. For more information on Polar Bear Plunge or to register, visit www.plungemn.org or contact polarbearplunge@somn.org or (800) 783-7732.

Polar Bear Plunge events are organized by Minnesota law enforcement as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run®, the largest grassroots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. With a mission to raise funds for and awareness of the Special Olympics movement worldwide, law enforcement officers and personnel from all 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 areas and around the world. More than 1,200 law enforcement officers and personnel representing more than 75 agencies throughout Minnesota participated with the Torch Run initiative in 2010. The Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the "Flame of Hope" to the Celebration Ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions. The Torch Run is also a diverse initiative encompassing a variety of fundraisers, including the Polar Bear Plunge.

Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. Through Special Olympics' athletic, health and leadership programs, people with intellectual disabilities transform themselves, their communities and the world.

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