When my husband Crist and I heard that the Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach was being honored as the recipient of the 2008 Award of Excellence for the Special Olympics Missouri on January 8, 2009, we were elated. It’s such an honor for the amazing people who work diligently each year to get everything organized for the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The community of Osage Beach was honored with the award because of their efforts to raise awareness of and money for the Special Olympics as sponsors of the annual Polar Bear Plunge. The Lake of the Ozarks has headed up the popular plunge since 1996. Over these past 12 years, there have been over 5,000 participants in this bone-chilling event. And the best of all, the event has raised more than $1 million for Missouri’s Special Olympics. The Polar Bear Plunge brings out the most determined people who are willing to brave the frigid temperatures by plunging into the icy water every hour for 24 hours.
Over the years, the event has been expanded to include a 5K Fun Run, which is now called the Polar Bear Strut. The Special Olympics is very dear to many people in the region, but it really seems to pull at the heartstrings of many law enforcement.
We have to give credit to Lake of the Ozarks Osage Beach for starting the plunge craze. Since its start, St. Louis was soon to follow. Then, came Kansas City, followed by five other communities by 2006. Now there are 12 locations participating in the Polar Bear Plunge. Isn’t it great how a trend catches on?
The 2009 Polar Bear Plunge Schedule:
· Friday, February 27th at 2:30 p.m. (Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Tan-Tar-A Resort)
· Super Plunge will begin at 4:00 p.m., with plunging every hour for 24 hours.
Early check-in for pre-registered plungers is Saturday, February 23rd at 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Osage Beach City Hall.
Registration and packet pickup for the 5K Polar Bear Strut is at 10 a.m., with the Strut at 2 p.m. at Grand Glaize Beach.
Polar Bear Plunge
· Registration – February 27th at 2 p.m.
· Parade of costumes at 2:15 p.m.
· Welcome and Announcements – 2:30 p.m.
· Polar Bear Plunge – 4 p.m.
· Tan-Tar-A Resort
· Post Plunge Party Begins
It looks like this is going to be another exciting Polar Bear Plunge. We hope to see you there. If you need more information about the event, you can contact the Osage Beach Depart of Public Safety at 537-302-2101.
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