FORT SMITH (KFSM)- Residents came together Saturday (Feb. 7) plunging into chilly water all in the name of charity.
The Polar Plunge was held at the World Class Fitness Center pool, located at 6206 S. 31st Street.
The event was hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Scooter, the polar plunge’s mascot was the first one to jump into the chilly water, followed by the Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
Event officials said the funding will go towards athletes with the Special Olympics Arkansas.
Directors of the event said they raised $20,000 last year, and said the turnout this year brought around 100 participants.
“This is definitely bigger than last year when it poured down rain the entire time in about 40-degrees, so we’re doing good,” Sgt. Danny Baker, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics said.
The owner of the gym said the temperature of the water was a frigid 40-degrees since the week started off so cold.
The minimum donation to plunge was $50. Those who did so received a long-sleeve souvenir plunge shirt.
Organizers said all the money raised goes to benefit the estimated 1,400 Special Olympics Athletes in our area, which includes Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin and Johnson Counties.
