Make like a penguin and plunge

SANDPOINT — The outdoor temperature was only two degrees warmer than the water Saturday at City Beach, but that didn't stop the penguin plungers from diving into the icy water. 

Nolan Owens, 7, of Sandpoint, was excited to take his first plunge. Nolan raised $253 for the event, and although he was so cold his feet hurt after exiting the 43-degree lake water, he said he will do it again next year.

"He really wants to win the golden plunger," said Nolan's mom, Kim Owens.

This year's golden plunger went to Special Olympian Santana Martin, whose excitement over making the biggest splash into the water was infectious.

Nolan's dad, Terry Owens, has won the golden plunger before. He has been plunging for each of the four years the event has taken place in Sandpoint and said the second year he participated was the coldest. Last year was "pretty nice," he said.

"I just love getting in cold water and doing stupid things, so this is right up my alley," Owens said. "It is a great cause and it's nice to help somebody out by doing it." 

Donna Davis of Sandpoint took the plunge after raising a $600 pledge for the event in less than 24 hours. She raised the money through her sisters and friends, she said, and next year she plans to do it again.

Two youngsters, cousins Zoe and Ben Rasor, were the bravest of them all, staying in the water for about a minute, although they said it felt like a lot longer.

"We were trying to see who could stay in the longest," Zoe said, but it was a tie as they both ran out of the water at the same time.  

Whether a penguin or a "chicken" plunger, those who raised money for the event did it for a good cause.

"The Penguin Plunge, all through Idaho, is a big fundraiser that the local Special Olympics teams put on," said Chris Painter, Special Olympics local program coordinator.

The local Special Olympics team consists of 32 athletes who participate in events throughout the year. With four in wheelchairs, Painter said the entire team can participate in summer games and bowling. This year, she said, they will travel to Twin Falls to participate in the summer games, supported by money raised through the Penguin Plunge.

"That is a huge expense for us, because we have to get wheelchair accessible vans," Painter said.

She said they also participate in winter games, but those are done a little closer to home. The winter games take place in Silver Valley, Painter said, and fall games are in Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston.

The Penguin Plunge is the main fundraiser for Idaho Special Olympics. Each participant raises a pledge leading up to the event, and those who raise money but don't take the plunge are the "chicken" plungers, she said. Plungers get prizes for most money raised, as well as best costume, best spirit, team awards and more.

The event also included a silent auction with several items donated by different businesses in the community, a 50/50 raffle, and a chili cook-off helped warm the plungers up after their chilly dip.

In total, about 60 people participated, though not all were penguin plungers, raising a preliminary total of approximately $2,400. Event organizers said they expected about another $1,000 as well, because the $2,400 did not include all the funds from things like the silent auction.

The event is supported by the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office as well, as Sheriff Daryl Wheeler made a short announcement as the participants prepare to plunge, and divers made sure all of the plungers made it out of the water safely.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.