CAYUGA—Thanks to a partnership between Haldimand County OPP and Cayuga Secondary School (CSS), the county will host its first-ever Polar Plunge as brave souls enter the freezing Grand River all in the name of raising funds for Special Olympics Ontario.
While new to Haldimand, the event is an annual tradition in other communities around Ontario, organized by the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
“Participants, including members of law enforcement like the OPP, plunge into icy waters to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes,” said Provincial Constable Jonathan Bueckert.
The event began in the early 2000s and continues to be a spectacle for participants and spectators, according to Bueckert. Funds raised go toward supporting programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
“The Polar Plunge is unlike other events in terms of fundraising,” said Bueckert. “With the Polar Plunge, 75% of funds raised by athletes and volunteers are eligible to stay local and go to local athletes. The OPP and Community Safety Services collaborate to ensure the event’s success and safety.”
He said participants should be prepared for the cold-water plunge, wear appropriate attire, bring a towel, some footwear, and follow safety guidelines.
“I can confirm that some of the command staff at the Haldimand Detachment will be taking the plunge,” he added.
CSS Special Education teacher Mykelti Whiting said the school jumped at the opportunity to help out with the fundraiser, explaining, “Cayuga SS is always interested in participating in leadership and outreach opportunities within our community, and this seemed like a fun way to do so. Being neighbours (with the OPP) and having the opportunity to come together for a common cause felt like something we couldn’t miss out on.”
While initially the OPP had extended an invitation to CSS students to participate in the plunge if they were up for it, Whiting said that “board policies surrounding water” excluded students from being able to jump in.
“Instead, we decided to frame it as a way for students to buy out of their afternoon classes to watch their teachers take the plunge – $5 per student, and all of the proceeds would go towards Special Olympics Ontario. The event runs from 12-2 p.m., which begins during our lunch and runs from third period into a bit of fourth period. Both of our administrators, our Principal Amber Mitchell and our Vice-Principal Colin Miller, will be plunging, and I think their participation is really important to the event.”
Additionally, members of CSS Student Council will be on hand to assist with the set up on the day of, and by promoting and selling the class buyout to the rest of the student body leading up to the event.
“They will also be there to help the event run smoothly in any capacity they are needed; we are following the lead of the facilitators from the OPP,” said Whiting.
She said that Special Olympics Ontario is the perfect recipient of this fundraiser because “we have a large Specialized Services department here at Cayuga Secondary School, which is something that makes CSS incredibly special. We have a large number of fully self-contained and partially integrated Specialized Services classrooms, with an array of amazing teachers and educational assistants who are providing these students with opportunities for learning and community outreach daily.”
She continued, “At CSS these students are an intrinsic part of our student body. They represent what it means to accomplish things that other people might not think it possible for them to accomplish. I think that inclusion in education has come a long way, but still has a long way to go. As a teacher, I witness these students accomplish great things every single day; I see the efforts that our staff make to support and rally these kids, to provide learning and growth, and I continue to be inspired by them.”
With such great local pride in Special Education, the contribution to Special Olympics just makes sense: “Special Olympics Ontario reflects our shared goal of advocacy, and of giving these students the opportunities for success that they deserve.”
The event is happening on February 27. To register as a participant or to donate, visit soopolarplunge.crowdchange.ca/54493. To date, approximately $2,300 of the $5,000 fundraising goal has been raised.
“Having the CSS student body, staff, and our Specialized Services department come together is another step towards inclusion and shows the ways in which our school community can come together to champion a great cause,” concluded Whiting.
