UW News

January 15, 2009

Freeze! UWPD promotes Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Jan. 31

UW News

Some cops tell you to pull over and some cops tell you to move along — but Sgt. Cham Kao of the UW Police is telling you to go jump in the lake.


Lake Washington, that is. And really, he’s just asking. He’s promoting an event called the Polar Plunge, and it’s for one of the best causes around — The Special Olympics.


The UW Police Department is teaming up with the Michael G. Foster School of Business, the Seattle Police and the Washington State Patrol for this chilling event, to be held at noon Jan. 31 at the Magnuson Park Beach, 7400 Sand Point Way NE. The full name of the event is the 2009 Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign Polar Plunge.


“We’re trying to make this an annual thing,” said Kao, events scheduling sergeant for the UWPD. “We’re doing it to bring the UW community together and to have a departmental competition — We’re going to challenge everybody to see who can raise the most money.” The winning campus unit will have the honor of being announced on a banner in Red Square, Kao said.


It costs $50 to register and if you do so before Monday, Jan. 19, you’ll be guaranteed a t-shirt prize, whether you plunge just a little or a lot. Click here to register online – look for the Magnuson Park event on Jan. 31. Participants also can collect other pledges to earn other prizes, from a travel mug to a “Plunge Captain’s Chair.”


You can support the UWPD plungers by submitting donations online.


The icy dip will be preceded by a costume contest at 11 a.m. and followed by lunch from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.


Kao said the Polar Plunge event is looking to raise $100,000 for the Special Olympics, and he’s working hard to get the word out. He plans to speak with student organizations and even hopes to get a banner at Kane Hall to announce winners.


“The intent is to bring us all together” to support the Special Olympics, he said. And he is joined in this aquatic effort by Ray Wittmier, UWPD interim chief.


The Special Olympics quoted Wittmier in a press release echoing Kao’s invitation for all to come to the water: “Anyone with a little courage, a warm heart and a desire to support a worthy cause is welcome!”


Some cops tell you to “Freeze!” but Kao and Wittmier instead remind all participants to:


  • Bring your own towel.
  • Wear shoes.
  • Bring a set of warm, dry replacement clothes and a bag for your wet clothes.


For more information about the Special Olympics Washington, visit the group’s Web site at www.sowa.org. You’ll be freezin’ for a good reason.