The Wood County Special Olympics program is inviting community members to take part in the Wood County Special Olympics Polar Plunge on Saturday, March 28, at the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 1921 E. Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green. The annual event challenges participants to plunge into icy water to raise funds that directly support local Special Olympics athletes.

Participants may register individually or form teams with friends, coworkers, schools, or organizations. Each participant must raise a minimum of $100 in donations to be eligible to plunge. Organizers have set a community fundraising goal of $10,000, which will help provide year-round sports training, competition opportunities, and inclusive programming for athletes in Wood County.

Event-day activities begin with registration at 11:00 a.m., followed by the program and awards at 12:00 p.m., with plunging beginning at 12:20 p.m. After taking the plunge in the outdoor pool, participants will be able to warm up indoors in the Nichols Therapy Pool.

Registration and Incentives

Participants can register online for $30 ($20 for Junior Plungers) and will receive an official Polar Plunge t-shirt.

New in 2026 - fundraising incentives will be digital only. As participants reach fundraising milestones, they will receive an email with a unique code to claim their rewards online. Once claimed, items will be shipped directly to participants. Organizers encourage registrants to use a valid email address and check spam or junk folders to ensure they receive their codes.

Fundraising incentives include:

• Raise $100 — Eligible to plunge and receive the Polar Plunge bucket hat
• Raise $300 — Polar Plunge sling bag
• Raise $500 — Polar Plunge blanket hoodie
• Raise $1,000 — Polar Plunge full-zip jacket

How to Register

Community members can register or learn more by visiting: https://support.sooh.org/site/TR?fr_id=1310&pg=entry

You may also visit our website: https://www.woodcountydd.org/special-olympics.

For more information about the Wood County Special Olympics Polar Plunge, contact: LeAnn FrankFather, Wood County Special Olympics Coach at 419-352-4300 or lfrankfather@woodcountydd.org.

For more information about Wood County Board of DD, visit www.woodcountydd.org or follow Wood Lane – Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities on Facebook.