South Burlington, VT – February 13, 2024
The twenty ninth Annual Burlington & Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge offered by Neighborhood Financial institution was held on Saturday, February tenth on the Burlington Waterfront. 1,000 individuals plunged into the frigid waters of Lake Champlain on an unseasonably heat day to indicate their assist for Particular Olympics athletes in Vermont. The Penguin Plunge is the most important fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont, and this yr, a record-breaking $675,000 was raised to assist sports activities coaching and competitors alternatives throughout native and faculty applications, well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont.
“This yr’s Burlington & Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge surpassed all expectations, setting a brand new document as essentially the most profitable occasion we have ever hosted,” remarked Sarah McCaffrey, President & CEO of Particular Olympics Vermont. “We’re thrilled to announce we’ve exceeded our objectives due to the overwhelming assist from our neighborhood, companions, and sponsors. This collective effort not solely highlights the neighborhood’s dedication to Particular Olympics Vermont but additionally underscores our shared imaginative and prescient for a extra inclusive future. We’re deeply appreciative of everybody who got here collectively to champion our athletes.”
The Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge happened at 10am, starting with prime fundraising college, Browns River Center College. The 56-member crew raised $21,600. The Burlington Penguin Plunge began at 11am, and the Union Mutual and Hickok & Boardman Popsicles took the highest fundraising spot for the sixth yr in a row. Because of their 62-member crew, led by President & CEO Lisa Keysar, they raised over $185,000 – essentially the most raised by a single crew within the historical past of the Penguin Plunge!
All funds raised by way of the Penguin Plunge go in direction of Particular Olympics Vermont’s native and school-based applications that exist to foster consciousness and inclusion of individuals with mental disabilities by utilizing the ability of sport to showcase their items and skills. As athlete, Caroline McNamara mentioned as she kicked off the occasion, “I like Particular Olympics as a result of I’ve made plenty of pals and I like to win medals.”
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been attainable with out the assist of our many companions: presenting accomplice Neighborhood Financial institution; platinum companions Xfinity and Union Mutual; gold accomplice GlobalFoundries; silver companions Darn Robust Vermont, Mascoma Financial institution, Northfield Financial savings Financial institution, Our Home Bistro and Vermont Federal Credit score Union; and bronze companions Cabot Creamery Co-operative, Foam Brewers, Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe, Nationwide Life Group and UVM Well being Community. We’re additionally grateful for our unimaginable media companions: WCAX, 95 Triple X, 101.3 The Wolf, WVMT, STAR 92.9, Supersounds, and the Media Manufacturing facility who produced an thrilling dwell present for everybody to observe at house. Lastly, Particular Olympics Vermont is appreciative of the assist from the Junapr crew, Vermont Tent Firm, Bourne’s Power, Myers Container Providers Corp, Burlington Telecom, Burlington Parks & Recreation Division, the Burlington Fireplace Division, the U.S. Coast Guard Station – Burlington, the Norwich Cadets, Finest Purchase, Tech Group VT and numerous volunteers who make this occasion attainable yearly by way of offering time, vitality, in-kind donations, and extra.