SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA

Jersey Mike’s Subs is giving its customers a chance to eat a sub and make a difference.

The 2020 Summer Olympics Games finally get underway in Tokyo next week, but the Olympic athletes aren't the only ones excited to return to competition.

Local law enforcement members are hitting the pavement and lighting the way with an annual tradition.

DALEVILLE, Va. – Saturday marked another successful polar plunge benefitting Special Olympics Virginia. The scenery was a little different for this year’s Polar Plunge but the cause was the same. “We were freezin’ for a reason,” WSLS 10 News team co-captain and anchor Brittny McGraw said. “You can’t ask for a more worthy organization than the Special Olympics of Virginia,” Haniewich said. Thanks to your generous donations, the 10 News team also exceeded its goal, raising $6,650.

ROANOKE, Va. – The push to the 2021 Polar Plunge is on, as teams across Virginia are coming up with their own unique ways to plunge in support of Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics athletes are also coming up with their own ways to stay connected and active even though the pandemic has made that harder. Tim Cross and Matt Hall, both athletes with Special Olympics, teamed up to organize and lead a winter basketball clinic to keep fellow Special Olympics athletes active and engaged during the pandemic. “It was, to me, that’s what I’m looking for, that independent way of thinking.”They all encourage people to support Special Olympics because of the impact it has in the lives of athletes and volunteers. “This time, Special Olympics, is their time to shine.”To donate and support Special Olympics Virginia through the Polar Plunge, click here.

SALEM, Va. – The law enforcement community has been a longtime supporter of Special Olympics. Fadorick said she and her colleagues get to see firsthand how important Special Olympics is to its athletes. Ad“I can’t say it enough, it’s just so rewarding to interact with the athletes and see the appreciation and what they get out of the Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. “The Polar Plunge is one of the biggest fundraisers for Special Olympics and obviously with the pandemic, donations and fundraising are down significantly so it’s really important that people participate and support Special Olympics,” Fadorick said. AdPolar Plunge teams are encouraged to take the plunge between February 1-6.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – The roster of teams continues to grow as people across Virginia get ready for this year’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Some of the teams participating in the 2021 Plunge have partnered with Special Olympics for years, including several fraternities and sororities from Virginia Tech and Radford University. “We’ve been really, really blessed to still be able to work with Special Olympics regularly, weekly, still see the athletes’ faces,” said Erin Upton, service officer for XDA. In years past, XDA members took part in a variety of sports with Special Olympics athletes. “In the past, XDA has worked with athletes and Special Olympics to do a variety of sports from swimming to bowling and everything in between,” Upton said.

ROANOKE, Va. – In less than a month, individuals and teams from across Virginia will take part in the 2021 Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Virginia, but with a twist. Instead, people get to “plunge their way” and decide how they want to take the plunge. Money raised by the event supports Special Olympics’ mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As a proud sponsor, WSLS 10 is participating and raising money to help Special Olympics. Special Olympics Virginia is planning a week of Polar Plunge activities starting February 1 and ending with a virtual celebration on February 6.

The annual event raises money to support the athletes and mission of Special Olympics Virginia. The upcoming plunge will look different because of the pandemic, as participants get to plunge their way. “We are looking for a hot tub to do it,” said Joey Wheeler, an Area 9 Special Olympics athlete. Special Olympics knows, no matter how participants plunge, it will make a big splash in the lives of their athletes and volunteers. Click here for more information on the 2021 Polar Plunge and how to get involved.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – In just a few weeks, athletes, volunteers and community members from all across Virginia will once again take the plunge to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia. Special Olympics Virginia had to suspend in-person activities in March, but since then athletes, volunteers and staff have found one sport in particular that works well with COVID-19 restrictions. Bocce proved to be an ideal sport for Special Olympics’ unified programming, which brings together athletes with and without disabilities. “Special Olympics means to me being involved with other activities and just being out there having fun with friends, " Wheeler said. For more information about Special Olympics Virginia and the 2021 Polar Plunge, click here.

The Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics Virginia through fundraising leading up to the event. This year, the Polar Plunge raised nearly $60,000 for Special Olympics Virginia, surpassing the organization’s goal of $55,000. It’s really exciting to see.”'WSLS 10 raised more than $8,500 for the Polar Plunge, which was second-most among all fundraising teams. The top team was the Virginia Tech chapter of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, who raised nearly $15,000. "A week into me being in the organization, they had me raise money for the Polar Plunge, so they get you started early with that kind of stuff.”The money raised during the Polar Plunge will be used for a myriad of important costs within Special Olympics Virginia.

ROANOKE, Va. – Excitement is building for the 2020 New River Polar Plunge, which benefits Special Olympics Virginia, and one athlete is especially eager to dive right in. "I'm very excited for it and it's going to be a lot of fun," said Nicholas D'Elicio, an athlete and global messenger with Special Olympics Virginia. D'Elicio, of Roanoke, said he discovered Special Olympics' programs about five years ago with the help of a friend. As a global messenger, D'Elicio spreads the word about the work Special Olympics Virginia is doing in the community and in the lives of its athletes. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, February 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of people are eagerly awaiting the chance to take an icy dip into the New River next month, as a part of this year’s New River Polar Plunge. “It gets really exciting, especially if there’s snow on the river bank,” said Nancy Morehouse, Southwest Region Director of Special Olympics Virginia. 10 News is excited to partner with Special Olympics Virginia to support the Polar Plunge, which is the main fundraiser for Special Olympics programming in southwest Virginia. The 2020 New River Polar Plunge will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dudley’s Landing at Bisset Park in Radford. You can help support Special Olympics' mission by making a donation to this year's Polar Plunge or signing up to take the Plunge.