Special Olympics of Indiana History

Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is a part of the global Special Olympics movement, using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1969, Special Olympics Indiana has grown to more than 18,000 athletes and unified partners in virtually every county throughout the state. With the support of more than 10,000 coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the participants. Learn more by visiting www.soindiana.org.

Polar Plunge 2020 Event

Special Olympics Indiana will host the Fort Wayne Plunge on Saturday, February 8 at Camp Red Cedar in Northern Fort Wayne. There are additional plunges around the state. This fun and safe event consists of individuals and companies from all over Northeast Indiana raising funds through pledges and donations for the chance to take a “plunge” into the freezing cold water and prove they are Freezin’ for a Reason.

The event raises funds for state and local Special Olympics programs and generates awareness of the power of Special Olympics, which allows children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live active lives through socialization, exercise, and friendly competition. Currently there are over 18,000 athletes that participate in at least one sport through Special Olympics Indiana.

How You Can Help

We’ve teamed up with  the Mad Ants in an effort to raise funds for Special Olympics of Indiana. At checkout, customers like you can contribute a dollar to Special Olympics Indiana and in return they’ll have the opportunity to sign a Polar Plunge icon to be displayed at the store. You also have the option to bring your sale to the nearest whole dollar which will be given to Special Olympics of Indiana.

If we raise $500 or more, Marc Gernhardt (our awesome Marketing guy) will take the plunge! His plunge will be recorded and shared on our Belmont Beverage Fort Wayne Facebook page so be sure to give that a quick like if you want to watch! If you know him personally and want to see him freeze, be sure to visit any Belmont Beverage and donate to the cause! Fund Raiser Ends on February 9th!

Update: The Results Are In!

We were corporate sponsors of the 2020 Polar Plunge. We also held a month long fund raiser for the Special Olympics Indiana to help ensure athletes don’t pay a dime out of pocket to participate in activities. From gracious donations from our customer base in Fort Wayne, we were able to raise $2,228.46. As a result from the success of our fund raiser, Marc Gernhardt (our Marketing guy) and Cody Stafford (our Senior Accountant) participated in the plunge at Camp Red Cedar. Marc work a pink tutu and Cody wore a French Maid’s outfit. They were cold but they were Freezin’ for a Reason!

For more information, please contact event chair Jake Pickett at (260) 402-9633, follow the event Facebook page, or visit soindiana.org/polar-plunge.