The 2011 Penguin Plunge

The  two inches of fresh snow didn’t stop the 2011 Penguin Plunge plungers from jumping into Deep Creek Saturday.

The event raised more than $5,400.

Forty plungers and one K-9 jumped, dove and flipped off the dock at the mouth of Deep Creek into 35.3 degree water  as part of Freezin for a Reason.

The annual event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Idaho.

Local Special Olympic athletes were present to show support for the plungers and proudly wore medals from past Special Olympic games.

Special Olympics Idaho is a non-profit organization with over 9,000 volunteers, that provide training and athletic competition in  sports, year-round and free of charge to more than 2,500 children and adults athletes.  

Special Olympics programs gives athletes the opportunity to develop physical fitness, show courage, experience joy and participate in sharing their skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Funding comes from events such as the Penguin Plunge and the Law Enforcement Torch Run among others.

Part of the Penguin Plunge tradition is to show up in crazy costumes and this year there were several to choose from for the top three awards.

Dave Kramer  is one of the organizers of the Penguin Plunge and is a member of the local and state Law Enforcement Torch Run. 

Kramer, who dressed as Superman for the event, was pleased with this year’s turn out and happy to announce that there were double the plungers and nearly double the money was raised compared to last years event.

“This is a team effort that benefits the local and state Special Olympics athletes,” Kramer said. “We appreciate the community’s support and look forward to next year’s event.”

DARE officer Tiffany Murray for the second year raised the most money with more than $500 in donations. 

“Tiffany was recovering from having surgery and was not able to jump Saturday but will be jumping at a later date,” Kramer said.

South Boundary  Fire Protection District was called to a fire Saturday morning which delayed their arrival but didn’t stop them from taking the plunge.

“They were still in their turn outs and dirty from the fire when they arrived,” Kramer said.  “No better way to get cleaned up than to come from a fire then jump into the cold river.”

There was one K-9 this year, Jake,  who even had his own fundraising site and jumped with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection team.

Best costumes included in first place, Mugsy’s owner Michael Reasoner as a Twin Peaks High School cheerleader, Groove Studio owner Carolyn Testa came in second as a fairy princess and third place was won by Scott Thompson who was dressed as a tourist.

The most mature plunger was Sue Wilson and the youngest was Gary Robertson.  K-9 Jake won the best dog paddle award.  Students from Echo Springs won the most team spirit award.

Three Distinguished Young Women, formerly known as Junior Miss, contestants took the plunge. Manager of Safeway Brett Brown jumped with staff members. Mike Davis of Iron Mike’s gym took the plunge with Kramer.

Bonners Ferry Police Chief Rick Alonzo did the honors of acclimating the water temperature by dumping bags of ice in prior to the jumpers entering the water.

Boundary County volunteer ambulance and Boundary County Sheriff the marine boat and search and rescue divers stood by for the protection of the plungers.

Kramer and other organizers will meet at 9:30 a.m., Monday, March 14, at city hall to start planning for next year.