POLAR PLUNGE. Cool Schools Tool Kit

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1 POLAR PLUNGE Cool Schools Tool Kit

2 FREEZIN FOR A REASON POLAR PLUNGE Polar Plunge Montana The Polar Plunge is a Law Enforcement Torch Run signature event. It is a unique opportunity for individuals, clubs, organizations and schools to support local Special Olympics Montana athletes by jumping, running or slowly crawling into the frigid and icy waters of Montana. The first Polar Plunge was held in Whitefish, Montana in Since then the events have grown to 12 different plunges held all over the state with over 11,000 participants raising more than $350,000 annual for Special Olympics Montana. What is a Cool School? A cool school is a group of students, faculty and staff brave enough to take the dip into freezing cold waters to support Special Olympics Montana programs in their schools and communities. Gather your friends, teammates, teachers and principals and create a Polar Plunge team together for your local plunge. Together create memories and raise funds to support Special Olympics athletes in your school and community. How do I get started? Start a Polar Plunge team! The plunge takes place in 12 towns across Montana beginning in November and ending in February. Each team member must raise a minimum of $50 to Plunge and will earn the Polar Plunge long sleeve T-shirt. Plungers raising more donations for Special Olympics will earn more great prizes! Make sure all team member register as a Cool School Plunger.

3 What to Expect at the Plunge Warmth- We provide heated changing areas throughout the event for our Plungers! Many location also have hot tubs to warm up in. Party- The Plunge is a major event throughout the state with 1,000 people coming out to plunge and many more spectators to cheer you on. Safety- Plunger safety is our priority! We pride ourselves on a professional event atmosphere and experienced event staff to guide you through the event. We have divers in the water at all times and local EMTs and Law Enforcement in attendance. Fun- An amazing experience that will warm your heart knowing that you make an impact in the lives of over 2,700 Special Olympics athletes. Plunging- Your team will get in line to plunge after registration. The water is between 4ft to 5ft deep and you are in the water for about 10 seconds. ATTENTION!! If plunger is under 18 a parent/guardian must be present at registration to sign a waiver!

4 PLUNGE 101 REGISTER TO BE A COOL SCHOOL Visit and click on the link to the Plunge you would like to participate in. Register yourself and create a team that represents your school. Challenge your friends and classmates to show their courage and be freezin for a reason with you! Compete against other schools or challenge other grades within your school! Raise money by posting your team page to Social Media or by holding fundraising events at your school. Dress up with your team and Plunge!! Notes: If you are a Unified Champion School, when registering your Plunge team, make sure to select your schools team when asked where you would like your money to go. 60% of the funds raised for your team will go into your program budget. Registration Types Cool School Polar Plunger Too Chicken to Plunge Toss Your Teach or Plunge your Principal Raise a minimum of $50 and take the Plunge and be a below zero hero! No cold water for you! Be a part of your school Plunge team but stay on dry land all while helping to raise funds for Special Olympics athletes. How many times has your teacher or principal made you sweat? Toss Your Teach or Plunge Your Principal for the ultimate pay back! Work together to raise $1,000 make your principal or favorite teacher take the icy plunge!

5 Toss your Teacher or Plunge your Principal! Raise $1,000 as a school to Toss your Teacher or Plunge your Principal. Up to 12 Individuals can Plunge alongside your teach or principal for $1,000 (more students can plunge just be sure your total fundraising averages $50 for each plunger) Wear your school colors or uniforms to show your school pride! Event Schedule Plunge Location Date Eastern Montana Plunge Sidney, MT Nov. 23, 2018 SubZero SuperHero Plunge Havre, MT Nov. 24, 2018 NorthEastern Plunge Glasgow, MT Nov. 24, 2018 Miles City Plunge Miles City, MT Nov. 30, 2018 Billings Plunge Billings, MT Dec. 1, 2018 Great Falls Plunge Great Falls, MT Dec. 7, 2018 Griz Dip Missoula, MT Dec. 15, 2018 SouthWestern Plunge Butte, MT Jan. 19, 2019 Lewistown Plunge Lewistown, MT Jan. 26, 2019 Penguin Plunge Whitefish, MT Feb. 2, 2019 Sweetheart Plunge Helena, MT Feb. 9, 2019 Presidents Plunge Bozeman, MT Feb. 16, 2019

6 Fundraising Tips Fundraising 101 Turn in all donations when you check-in. Donations can be raised online or in cash and check. Checks should be made payable to Special Olympics. Each Plunger must raise a min. of $50. If you raise money as a group please divide it up per person before you check in at the Plunge. If you receive donations after the event you can still mail them in. Plungers will earn great prizes for reaching fundraising levels. How to Raise $150 in a Week! Day Who to Ask Make a $20 donation to yourself to get started! Put a post on social media asking for donations to support your crazy idea to Plunge! Ask one parent and one sibling for a $10 contribution to your Plunge. Bring your pledge sheet to school and ask two teachers or students for $10 to support your Plunge. 4 family friends and relatives asking for a $10 donation. Ask your favorite neighbor to support you with a $10 donation. Total Per Day Grand Total $20 $20 $30 $50 $20 $70 $20 $90 $40 $130 $10 $140 7 Post a reminder to donate on social media with an update on how close you are to reaching your goal. $10 $150

7 Fundraising Ideas Request Paper Polar Bears Request a set of Paper Polar Bear Icons from Special Olympics. The paper polar bears are free to our plungers and can be a great tool to help you increase your pledgers. You can request sets of 50 or 100 polar bears which you can take to local businesses and ask them to sell them on your behalf. Request form is located on the next page. Miracle Minute At a heavily attended home basketball or football game ask your school s permission to hold a miracle minute in which students race through the bleachers with donation jars and collect donations for Special Olympics/Plunge. Polar Bears for Pennies Provide jars for each grade and have students contribute through the month. For every dollar raised hang up one of the Polar Plunge Polar Bear Icons on the wall under the appropriate grade level so that students can see who is winning. Teacher/Principal Dunk Day Ask a favorite teacher or principal if they would agree to having cold water poured on them in front of an assembly if the school raises a certain amount. Special Olympics Montana can provide the make-shift dunk tanks.

8 Your polar bears have arrived! They will help you reach your fundraising goal, support Special Olympics Montana and help you earn some great prizes at this year s Polar Plunge. Each participant must raise $125 to take the Polar Plunge, but don t stop there! The more you raise the better incentive prizes you will receive! Getting Started Let each of the businesses you approach know that you are registered to take the Polar Plunge and by selling the polar bear icons their business is helping to raise money for Special Olympics Montana and their area programs! The polar bear icons can be sold for $1.00 or more at businesses, schools, etc. Work with the business to determine a time frame for selling the bears, about 3-5 weeks is average. Set a date that you will return to pick up the money raised and remaining bears. Turning in your Money If the business will be issuing a check for the money raised from the polar bear icons sale, check should be made payable to Special Olympics Montana. You must have all money raised and all remaining polar bear icons picked up BEFORE the Polar Plunge. Make a notation on your pledge sheet with each business name and the total amount that was raised and turn it in with your pledges. All the money raised through the polar bear icon sale will count directly toward you pledges and your Polar Plunge incentive prize! Questions If you have any questions please contact Mandy at apatriarche@somt.org or (406)

9 For questions contact: Mandy Patriarche (406) Statewide Plunge Sponsors Year Round Torch Run Sponsor