I hate the cold. I may have grown up in Colorado, but I most of the time I like being in hot Texas.
A few years ago my brother did a Polar Plunge for charity, and while I gave to his fundraising push, I also gave him plenty of harassment about how crazy he was. So, it might surprise you to learn that I have somehow agreed to jump into freezing cold water this upcoming Saturday morning. Not only that, the weather forecast calls for freezing rain.
Here is why I am willing to leave my comfort zone and jump into very cold water for a very good cause.
Benjamin, Special Olympics and Wildsiders.
A photo of Benjamin with Luc and I (and his Mom in the background) at our wedding in 2002.
You probably only recognize one of those names. The money we are raising as a team will go to Special Olympics Texas. When I was in my 20s I lived in Virginia, far away from my family. Benjamin and his family “adopted” me for holidays when I couldn’t afford to go home. Benjamin also participated in Special Olympics sporting events, something that really increased his self esteem. This was when I learned about how this nonprofit organization provided sports training and athletic competition in Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
When I was asked to form a team for the SeaWorld Wildside Ambassadors I didn’t hesitate. I would do anything to help kids like Benjamin have experiences that enrich their lives and show them how very special they are. I am also excited about my team: Stacy Teet, Kids Stuff World; Alba Garza, Independent Mami; Heidi Gollub, Free Fun in Austin; and Traci Shannon, A Star in My Own Universe.
This weekend, the SeaWorld Wildside Ambassadors are meeting in San Antonio for a sleepover, but these four brave (and perhaps crazy) women agreed to join me in this plunge, which is being held at SeaWorld on Saturday December 7th. You can read about one of the past Polar Plunge events here.
Herthe is where you come in! I need you to send me into the COLD WATER.
Even $5-10 will help and I promise to share LOTS of embarrassing pictures. It’s a fun way to freeze me and warm your heart at the same time. If I raise $100 over the next two days, I am going IN!
UPDATE: We Did It! We came, we conquered!
The temperature was about 28 degrees F, with wind chill 19 degrees F. The water was 45 degrees F. Time to thaw out afterward (and get feeling back in my legs), 2 hours. But it was worth it!
| Before the Plunge | After the Plunge |
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The Polar Plunge was bracing, to say the least, but it was awesome to know that we were doing something that really made a difference. Two of our team members were not able to make it due to adverse weather conditions making travel difficult, but we jumped for them as well. As a team we raised $1,109. I am pretty sure we can blow this out of the water (so to speak) next year. Oh yes, I am going to do this again!
Here is the video, which proves we did it!
You can check out another angle shot by Park President Dan Decker from the viewing stands. Look for the black Whale Tail hats https://www.facebook.com/kamichat
