We had a great start to the 2024 Westerra Credit Union Polar Plunge Series presented by Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply! With just one more Plunge (and maybe a surprise 2nd location) this fall, the Polar Plunge Series was a huge success that brought communities together to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Colorado athletes! Thank you to each and every participant, law enforcement officer, and sponsor for your bravery and support!
We've raised $715,302 of our $730,000 Goal for 2024
JUMP IN!
Our goal is to raise $726,000 from the Polar Plunge series to support the sports, health, education, and athlete leadership programs that our athletes enjoy for free. These life-changing programs positively impact the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them with tools to build their confidence and self-esteem in their everyday lives.
How it works
The Polar Plunge is a series of events where people brave the cold for the athletes of Special Olympics Colorado.
Step 1: Sign up to plunge, run, or both at the location of your choice
Step 2: Start collecting donations to meet (and beat) the minimum $80 or $50 for SOCO Athletes and Students to support Special Olympics Colorado athletes.
Step 3: Take the Plunge!
2024 Plunge & 5K Locations
2025 Plunge & 5K Locations
Check back for more details and links to the 2025 Plunge Season!
Other Ways to get Involved
Fundraising Toolkit
Once you register, set a fundraising goal! Then customize your registration page with your photos and share “WHY” you’re taking the plunge in support of Special Olympics Colorado. If you’ve taken the plunge before make sure you share those photos on your socials and share your cool experience.
WRITE A LETTER
Letter writing is a great way to raise a lot of money in a short amount of time! If you are sending a letter, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
SENDING EMAILS
Write personal emails to your family, friends, and co-workers and let them know you are plunging, ask for a donation or ask them to join your team.
Tips & Tricks
– Make the ask early and often!
– Make it easy for people to donate! Send everyone an email with a link to your fundraising page.
– Make it personal, rather than sending a mass email. Tell your story. Share with others why you participate, whether it’s just for fun or because you love Special Olympics Colorado.
– If you’ve Plunged before, share a picture of your previous jump to frozen glory. If it’s your first time, share your nerves and excitement!
– Have fun with it! Make a contest or game out of it – the first person to donate, or the largest donation gets a gift from you!
– Follow-up. Be sure to say thank you to donors after they make their donation, and again after you take the Plunge. Send them a picture of you Plunging with the results from the event.
Before hitting up your co-workers for a donation, see if you can form a company team instead. It’s a fun team building opportunity, and wearing your company t-shirts is a great way to maximize exposure!
– Find out about matching gift policies at your company. Some companies match employee fundraising, while others match donations made by employees. This is an easy way to double your donations!
– Have your donors find out about their companies matching gift policy to see if their donation will be matched.
– Host a “Casual for a Cause” day at work. Employees can donate a set amount to wear jeans and funds raised support your Plunge.
Additional workplace fundraising ideas include:
– Set out a candy jar and ask for change each time they take a piece
– Purchase bottles of water and pop at wholesale and put in the company lunchroom. Charge $1 for drinks and any profit can go to your fundraising efforts.
– Link your fundraising page to your social media accounts asking for donations.
– Send personalized emails or Facebook messages rather than mass emails. Always follow-up via phone.
– Ask your supporters about matching funds from their employers.
– Personal Assistant for a day – Offer to run errands, babysit, organize, clean a fridge, dog-sit, etc. for a donation to your plunge.
– Bake Sale – Bring baked goods into your workplace and raise money toward your Plunge.
– Sports Bracket or Pools – Organize weekend game brackets. Charge a fee, with a split of proceeds to the winner.
– Change Collection – Set up a collection jar at your workplace or ask friends for spare change.
– Bar/Restaurant Night – Ask a local restaurant to donate proceeds to your plunge or put out a change jar.
Day 1 – Make a $20 donation to yourself to get started!
Day 2 – Send an e-mail to three friends asking them for a $10 contribution
Day 3 – Ask one parent and one sibling for a $10 contribution
Day 4 – Bring a pledge sheet to work and ask co-workers for $10 to support your fundraising goal
Day 5 – Send an e-mail to four family friends and relatives asking for a donation
Day 6 – Ask two people at your favorite hangout, restaurant or tavern for a $5 donation
Day 7 – Post on Facebook asking for a $10 donation to help you reach your fundraising goal
- Getting Started
- Email Template
-
WRITE A LETTER
Letter writing is a great way to raise a lot of money in a short amount of time! If you are sending a letter, be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
SENDING EMAILS
Write personal emails to your family, friends, and co-workers and let them know you are plunging, ask for a donation or ask them to join your team.
Tips & Tricks
– Make the ask early and often!
– Make it easy for people to donate! Send everyone an email with a link to your fundraising page.
– Make it personal, rather than sending a mass email. Tell your story. Share with others why you participate, whether it’s just for fun or because you love Special Olympics Colorado.
– If you’ve Plunged before, share a picture of your previous jump to frozen glory. If it’s your first time, share your nerves and excitement!
– Have fun with it! Make a contest or game out of it – the first person to donate, or the largest donation gets a gift from you!
– Follow-up. Be sure to say thank you to donors after they make their donation, and again after you take the Plunge. Send them a picture of you Plunging with the results from the event.
- Workplace Giving
-
Before hitting up your co-workers for a donation, see if you can form a company team instead. It’s a fun team building opportunity, and wearing your company t-shirts is a great way to maximize exposure!
– Find out about matching gift policies at your company. Some companies match employee fundraising, while others match donations made by employees. This is an easy way to double your donations!
– Have your donors find out about their companies matching gift policy to see if their donation will be matched.
– Host a “Casual for a Cause” day at work. Employees can donate a set amount to wear jeans and funds raised support your Plunge.
Additional workplace fundraising ideas include:
– Set out a candy jar and ask for change each time they take a piece
– Purchase bottles of water and pop at wholesale and put in the company lunchroom. Charge $1 for drinks and any profit can go to your fundraising efforts.
- Other Fundraising Ideas
-
– Link your fundraising page to your social media accounts asking for donations.
– Send personalized emails or Facebook messages rather than mass emails. Always follow-up via phone.
– Ask your supporters about matching funds from their employers.
– Personal Assistant for a day – Offer to run errands, babysit, organize, clean a fridge, dog-sit, etc. for a donation to your plunge.
– Bake Sale – Bring baked goods into your workplace and raise money toward your Plunge.
– Sports Bracket or Pools – Organize weekend game brackets. Charge a fee, with a split of proceeds to the winner.
– Change Collection – Set up a collection jar at your workplace or ask friends for spare change.
– Bar/Restaurant Night – Ask a local restaurant to donate proceeds to your plunge or put out a change jar.
- Raise $150 in ONE WEEK!
-
Day 1 – Make a $20 donation to yourself to get started!
Day 2 – Send an e-mail to three friends asking them for a $10 contribution
Day 3 – Ask one parent and one sibling for a $10 contribution
Day 4 – Bring a pledge sheet to work and ask co-workers for $10 to support your fundraising goal
Day 5 – Send an e-mail to four family friends and relatives asking for a donation
Day 6 – Ask two people at your favorite hangout, restaurant or tavern for a $5 donation
Day 7 – Post on Facebook asking for a $10 donation to help you reach your fundraising goal
Social Media Toolkit
Use the sample posts and graphics below to share your Polar Plunge and 5K Journey with your social network!
Sample Posts
Post #1
I’m doing the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Colorado, and I need your help to reach my fundraising goal! Click on my link below. Every dollar I raise helps to provide sports, leadership programs and health screenings for over 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities!
[INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING LINK]
#PlungeCO #SOColorado #2024PolarPlunge
Post #2
I’m freezin’ for a reason this year! Join me and run in the Polar Plunge 5K sponsored by @anytimefitness and then cool down by plunging! Proceeds from the Polar Plunge support more than 23,000 Special Olympics Colorado athletes (children and adults with intellectual disabilities).
[INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING OR TEAM LINK]
#PlungeCO #SOColorado #2024PolarPlunge
Post #3
I’m taking the Polar Plunge on <INSERT DATE> and I am challenging my friends and family to Plunge with me! Why? The significant act of running or jumping into cold water calls attention to us and that we stand for a more inclusive world for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Join me or donate to help me reach my fundraising goal!
[INSERT PERSONAL FUNDRAISING OR TEAM LINK]
#PlungeCO #SOColorado #2024PolarPlunge
Additional Downloads
Animated Story Gif (Reels or Tiktok)
Download the gif file below and use it on instagram stories or tiktok to showcase your plunge story!
Animated Email Signature
To add this animated email signature to your emails, download the .gif file and upload it to the bottom of your email signature settings. Click the image and link it to your team’s fundraising page or specialolympicsco.org/plunge!
8.5″ x 11″ Flyer
All Locations
11″ x 17″ Poster
All Locations
7″ x 5″ Double-Sided Postcard
All Locations