A big splash: SWMI Polar Plunge raises $125K for Special Olympics Michigan

polar-plunge

The Southwest Michigan Polar Plunge at Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville raised $124,970 for Special Olympics Michigan this weekend.

More than 300 plungers jumped into the cold water tank outside the downtown brewery on a sunny Saturday afternoon. WSJM News anchor Jonny Reinhardt and Rock 107 WIRX host Brock Havens emceed the event, and Jonny says while they didn’t take the plunge themselves, he was glad to be part of making such a big splash in the community.

Top team donors, according to the polar plunge website, were as follows:

  1. Berrien County Sheriff’s Office | $19,486
  2. Lighthouse Polar Plungers! | $12,938
  3. Blossomland STARS | $10,676
  4. New Buffalo Township Fire | $6,311
  5. Michigan State Police Niles Post | $5,837

In total, more than $900,000 has been raised at events across the state. All funds go toward year-round sports training and athletic competition for nearly 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Michigan.

“Congratulations to our fantastic community,” said the Brewery, in a Facebook post. “Watermark looks forward to continuing to grow this event hosted in downtown Stevensville, as it represents all of Cass, Van Buren, and Berrien County.”

Here’s a look at a recap video from the Watermark Facebook page: