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You think it's cold? |
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Friday, 26 December 2008 |
Officers from various law enforcement agencies in Arkansas, including Saline County, are seeking donations to send numerous athletes to the Special Olympics.
To show their appreciation, officers will again bare their winters fears and jump into freezing water.
The event, the Polar Bear Plunge, will be held at the Hot Springs Athletic Club on New Year’s Eve.
“All the proceeds from both events go directly to the Special Olympics,” said Benton police Sgt. Kevin Russell. “The slogan of the Polar Bear Plunge events is ‘Freezing for a reason,’ and I think that best sums up what we are trying to do for Special Olympics.”
Several officers in Saline County have already taken at least one dip in bitterly cold water. On Dec. 12, sheriff’s Detectives Jeremy Hammons and Gary Robertson, along with numerous Benton police officers, participated in the Super Plunge at Lakewood Lake in North Little Rock.
The plunge also was held in memory of Anne Pressly, the KATV Channel 7 anchorwoman who died Oct. 25 after being attacked in her home.
Hammons also was a Super Plunger at the Dec. 12 event, in which he plunged into the water every hour for 24 hours straight all to help send athletes to the Special Olympics.
“This was actually my first year to participate in the event,” he said, “but it will definitely not be my last. That water was unbelievably cold, but it was all for a good cause.”
Russell said the Special Olympic athletes are not charged for them to compete in the Special Olympic Games, usually held in the spring and summer, so donations are given to help pay for travel and other costs. He said the goal of the department is to raise $5000 and anyone wishing to donate can do that in two ways. Each officer participating has set up a donation Web page at www.firstgiving.com.
“The Web site is secure,” Russell said. “The donations are also 100 percent tax deductible.”
Once on the Web site, type in the name of a particular officer to send the donation in the “Find a friend’s fundraising page” box on the right side of the page and hit enter on your keyboard. Officers raising donations are Saline County sheriff’s Detective Hammons and Benton officers Russell, Detectives Jeremy Ried-mueller and Kory Bauer, Officer Quinton Jackson, Det. Terry Fuller, Code Enforcement Officer Jody Morphew, Officer Joey Bedsole, Det. Jennifer Tarvin, Lt. Mike Treasitti and Sgt. Lisa Wylie.
Donations can also be made at the Benton Police Department at 114 South East Street in Benton, in care of Sgt. Russell. Donations can also be made at the Saline County Sheriff’s Office at 735 South Neeley in Benton, care of Det. Jeremy Hammons.
It may be Hammons first year to take the plunge, but Russell said he is becoming a pro at the sport. Along with Wylie, Tarvin and Officer Justin Stuart, he took the plunge in January at the Clarion Resort in Hot Springs with temperatures outside soaring to 32 degrees. He mentioned that “yes” the pool was outside and was not heated.
“It was cold!” Tarvin said with a laugh. “Last year, we all walked to the edge holding hands before we jumped. When you dive in you basically jump in as fast as you can and jump out as fast as you can.”
She said last year’s team dressed up as the Justice League, including Spider-man and the Wonder Twins. Tarvin said this year’s group will soon also come up with a theme and a group name before taking the plunge.
“She practically walked on water because it was so cold,” Russell said of Tarvin. “I also think it will be colder this year, not that I am trying to scare the new participants or anything.”
Regardless if the officers are nervous or scared, Morphew said after Tarvin talked him into participating, he saw the event as a “very worthy cause.” Riedmueller said that he had participated in other fundraising events for the department and decided to “jump right in” to the plunge. Fuller also said after he participated in the Special Olympic Torch Run earlier this year, he decided to cool off in freezing water.
“I am expecting pneumonia, hypothermia, maybe a little frost bite and a free meal,” Bauer said jokingly. “In all seriousness though I just want to help.”
However, to ensure that nobody participating is hurt, Tarvin said two rescue divers in wet suits will be standing by in case of an emergency situation. Russ-ell said after getting out of the pool, the participants immediately dry off with a towel and bath rob. At the same time, they are taken inside to dress in dry clothes. He said it usually takes between 15 to 20 minutes to warm up, but it is all for a great cause.
“Nothing in the world can describe the look on an athletes face when they compete in the Special Olympics and win an award,” he said. “All the athletes competing get an award, nobody is left out, and it really means the world to them.”
To donate or for more information, visit www.firstgiving.com and type in a participating officers name or call Sgt. Russell at 776-5948 or Hammons at 303-5609.
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