Downtown Kitchener BIA and Uptown Waterloo BIA are supporting the Special Olympics by taking the Polar Plunge

by | Feb 6, 2020 | News Releases

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics will be hosting a plunge in Wilfred Laurier’s Stadium February 8th, 2020 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm and two local business improvement areas are challenging each other to participate.

What is the Polar Plunge?

  • Jumping into any ice waters (pond, pool, open body of water, dunk tank etc.)
  • Fundraising can be made by friends, family, coworkers, businesses or communities.
  • Signature provincial event of the Law Enforcement Torch Run
  • “Plungers” can either pay a registration fee or fundraise the minimum requirement to be able to take part in the Plunge. 

With the Ontario Special Olympics coming to Kitchener and surrounding areas, the BIA Executive Directors from Downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo (Linda Jutzi and Tracy Van Kalsbeek) will be taking the plunge to raise funds for the Ontario Special Olympics. Both BIA’s are showing support through the comradery of sport and there will be a friendly competition between the two to see which organization can raise the most donations. 

“In the spirit of the games that provide the community and nation with inspiration, friendly competition is always welcome,” says Linda Jutzi, Executive Director of the Downtown Kitchener BIA. “Between the Downtown Kitchener BIA and Uptown Waterloo BIA, we hope to use that friendly competition as a platform to raise as much as possible to support this amazing organization.” 

“I’m super excited to support the world’s largest sports movement promoting respect, inclusion and human dignity for people with intellectual disabilities,” shares Tracy Van Kalsbeek, Executive Director of the Uptown Waterloo BIA. “If my jumping into frigid water helps to create awareness about Special Olympics Ontario coming to Waterloo Region this spring, I’m happy to do it – the athletes are such an inspiration.”

All of the funds raised will directly benefit over 26,000 Special Olympics athletes across Ontario. Special Olympics Ontario has been transforming the power of sport and joy to showcase the full potential of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Polar Plunge is an opportunity to support Special Olympics Ontario and their mission to create a happier, more inclusive society.

Eight Polar Plunges are being held throughout different regions (Waterloo Included) during the month of February and March. Visit http://www.polarplunge.ca/ to contribute to Linda and Tracy’s campaigns. 

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