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 folks 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 biggest fundraising occasion for Particular Olympics Vermont, and this 12 months, a record-breaking $675,000 was raised to assist sports activities coaching and competitors alternatives throughout native and college packages, well being screenings, and management alternatives for youngsters and adults with mental disabilities in Vermont.
“This 12 months’s Burlington & Cool Faculties Penguin Plunge surpassed all expectations, setting a brand new document as probably the most profitable occasion we have ever hosted,” remarked Sarah McCaffrey, President & CEO of Particular Olympics Vermont. “We’re thrilled to announce we now have exceeded our objectives because of the overwhelming assist from our group, companions, and sponsors. This collective effort not solely highlights the group’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 12 months in a row. Due to their 62-member crew, led by President & CEO Lisa Keysar, they raised over $185,000 – probably the most raised by a single crew within the historical past of the Penguin Plunge!
All funds raised by means of the Penguin Plunge go in the direction of Particular Olympics Vermont’s native and school-based packages that exist to foster consciousness and inclusion of individuals with mental disabilities by utilizing the ability of sport to showcase their presents and skills. As athlete, Caroline McNamara stated as she kicked off the occasion, “I like Particular Olympics as a result of I’ve made plenty of buddies and I like to win medals.”
The Penguin Plunge wouldn’t have been potential with out the assist of our many companions: presenting companion Neighborhood Financial institution; platinum companions Xfinity and Union Mutual; gold companion GlobalFoundries; silver companions Darn Powerful 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 unbelievable media companions: WCAX, 95 Triple X, 101.3 The Wolf, WVMT, STAR 92.9, Supersounds, and the Media Manufacturing facility who produced an thrilling stay present for everybody to look at at residence. Lastly, Particular Olympics Vermont is appreciative of the assist from the Junapr crew, Vermont Tent Firm, Bourne’s Vitality, Myers Container Providers Corp, Burlington Telecom, Burlington Parks & Recreation Division, the Burlington Fireplace Division, the U.S. Coast Guard Station – Burlington, the Norwich Cadets, Greatest Purchase, Tech Group VT and numerous volunteers who make this occasion potential yearly by means of offering time, power, in-kind donations, and extra.
