Polar Plunge raises over $5,000 for Special Olympics

Local residents plunged into the frigid waters of the Kootenai River Saturday to raise money for Bonners Ferry Special Olympics.  

The 2024 Polar Plunge was hosted by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and held at the Boundary County Search and Rescue building. The annual event is held to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics Idaho athletes. 70% of the funds raised stay with the Bonners Ferry team. The remainder goes to the state to support Special Olympics Idaho programs.   

Participants must have raised at least $100 ($75 for youth participants) to be able to take the plunge. This year, with 20 jumpers, the event raised just over $5,000 for the Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge is one of two major fundraising events in Idaho and also nationwide.  

The event began with Tony Jeppesen of the Boundary County Search and Dive Rescue Team and Boundary County Sheriff’s Office welcoming everyone to the event. After the pledge of allegiance, Ladonna Gaston, one of the Special Olympics athletes, recited the Special Olympics pledge.  

John Beck, coach for the Bonners Ferry Special Olympics team took over the mic. Beck announced that this year’s plunge is dedicated to Mikey Bjoraker, a member of the Bonners Ferry Special Olympics team who was recently in an accident.  

“I’m really glad that we can be here to celebrate for Special Olympics, but it’s good that we can be here to think about Mikey also, so thanks for being here,” Beck said about their fellow athlete before introducing the rest of the athletes who had come out for the event.  

The weather participated, the rain stopped just in time and the sun made a short appearance for the event. 

With SADR team members on the dock and in the water, jumpers plunged into the 42-degree water. Participants were able to jump by themselves or team jump as a group.  

“I'd like to thank all the people that made financial donations to the Special Olympics. I'd also like to thank all the people that raised those funds by jumping in the cold river. And of course, thank you to all the organizers of the event, including our local Search and Rescue organization along with Helping Hands volunteers from Naples,” Beck said. 

Special Olympics Idaho has celebrated 50 years of service to the state’s athletes. Its mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.