Polar Plunge splashes up support for Special Olympics
By Lethbridge Herald on February 11, 2025.
A team of Special Olympics athletes jump into a bin of cold water as they participate in the Polar Plunge event on Saturday at Henderson Lake.
Herald photo by Alexandra NoadAlexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Some people jump into ice cold water for health benefits, but on Saturday several people plunged in -15C temperatures with benefits going to the Special Olympics.
The annual Polar Plunge is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which began in 1981, when five members from Wichita, Kansas ran a torch from City Hall to the high school.
Since its inception the global initiative has raised over a billion dollars for the Special Olympics, with this year’s LPS Polar Plunge raising over $20,000.
Many members of the LPS not only raised funds, but also took the plunge despite the balmy weather.
Const. Eva Klassen said while it was really cold, she felt great after a few minutes spent in the hot tub, saying it was exactly what she needed to wake up.
“It is such an honour to be able to do this today and support the Special Olympics, such an incredible cause.”
The leading teams were Structural Trust Systems, which not only donated $2,854, but also provided the scaffold for the participants to jump off of and the LPS Shivers raised $2,625.
The benefits from LETR events support people such as Moriah Van’t Land, who lives on a farm in Lethbridge County, and is set to compete as a figure skater at the Special Olympic World Winter Games in Turin Italy in March.
Van’t Land is ecstatic to represent Canada as the only Albertan figure skater in the competition.
“I’m so excited to go there,” she says.
It was Const. Kyle Renkema’s first time taking the plunge and he plans on attending the annual event again.
“We’re super excited to send the Special Olympic athletes across the world.”
Renkema and Klassen’s teammate Const. Josh Smith says he has participated in a number of events supporting the Special Olympics including the Boston Pizza Night and the Teddy Bear Toss on top of the Polar Plunge.
He added how grateful he was for the hot tub, which seemed to be very popular among participants.
“I’m very glad we had the hot tub after, but it’s for a good cause, right?” said Smith. “(I’m) so glad so many people came out.”
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