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| Taking the Plunge for Special Olympics May 2007
Not even a frigid February in New Hampshire—when the average temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit and the snow fall total is around 40 inches—can stop MITRE information security engineer Rosalie McQuaid from participating in the "Penguin Plunge," an annual dip into the cold Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Special Olympics. On February 4, McQuaid and her team of 10 members known as "The Waddle Squad" joined over 775 other participants and thousands of spectators at Hampton Beach on a 5 degree day with water temperatures around 40. "My toes went numb almost immediately, to the point where it was hard to walk, but they thawed out fairly quickly," she says. "The fund-raising cause makes enduring the cold all worth it! We raised over $6,000 and that was added to the grand total of $500,000, which shattered the initial goal of $450,000. "Each year has been a very positive experience, despite the wind chill factor we endure while on the beach just to get to the bone chilling water. It's an event that I will continue to support despite the cold, because I believe that Special Olympics programs are important and positive influences for all the participants. I feel a personal satisfaction helping raise the funds to keep the New Hampshire Special Olympics games going. If that means I brave the winter temperatures to do it, than that's what I will do!" An Ongoing Commitment Three years ago, McQuaid became involved with Special Olympics through a friend who has participated in every New Hampshire Penguin Plunge since it started eight years ago. The first New Hampshire Penguin Plunge involved just 150 plungers, who raised $100,000; every year the number of participants and amount of money raised has climbed. The money supports the 15,000 Special Olympics competition events held in New Hampshire each year. Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. The organization currently serves more than 2.25 million in about 150 countries. It is a global movement, with more than 500,000 athletes in China, more than 210,000 in India, almost 550,000 in the United States, more than 600 in Afghanistan, and 4,400 athletes in Rwanda. Special Olympics World Games were held in Ireland in 2003 and Japan in 2005; in 2007, China will host the World Summer Games in Shanghai. The goal of Special Olympics is to promote skill, courage, sharing, and joy. It incorporates universal values that transcend all boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race, or religion. This kind of nonpartisan spirit inspires many volunteers like McQuaid to participate. Third Time's the Charm This was McQuaid's third Penguin Plunge. "I know this sounds crazy, but the plunge is a blast!" she exclaims. "This year we increased the size of our team by several members. This event is really a good source of revenue for the New Hampshire Special Olympics—last year we raised $9,345 and that was added to the grand total of $455,000. The total was $80,000 over goal, and this year's event raised at least $50,000 over goal." McQuaid explains the team's fund raising dedication saying, "One of our team members has had the flu a few times this year, but even risking another bout with the flu isn't going to keep her from jumping into the Atlantic with the team to earn her pledges for Special Olympics." To train for this cold endurance event, McQuaid runs early mornings, five days a week, for approximately 4 miles each run. "In the winter, the temperatures are often below zero, so this prepares me somewhat for the Plunge. Of course, this winter has been the exception for cold weather training. I have enjoyed some pretty mild temperatures." When the weather turns warmer, McQuaid switches to her first love—running—to raise money for various causes. Even as she trained for the Plunge, she was considering running two half marathons in early spring to raise funds for cancer research. Throughout the cold-climate states there are a surprising number of plunges to benefit Special Olympics. Connecticut, for instance, has a whopping total of eight annual plunges. People have been upholding the plunge tradition in Virginia for 13 years, Vermont for 12 years, and Massachusetts for 8 years.
Page last updated: May 11, 2007 | Top of page |
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