General Event Questions
What is the Polar Bear Plunge?
The Polar Bear Plunge (presented by Oklahoma law enforcement as part of the year-round fundraising
of Law Enforcement Torch Run® events to benefit Special Olympics) is a unique opportunity for
individuals, organizations and businesses to support Special Olympics athletes by jumping into frigid
Oklahoma waters. During the months of January through March, there are 10 opportunities across the
state to take the Plunge and be freezin' for a reason: to support Special Olympics Oklahoma athletes!
What is the minimum amount that I need to raise to participate in the event?
All Plungers must raise a minimum of $75. If Plunging as a team, the team must raise at least $75 per
person.
What incentives are available to participants who raise more than the minimum $75?
Incentives are distributed at the following levels:
$75
$250
$500
$1000
Please note that if you prefer an incentive that is lower than what you earned (for example, you earned
$1,000 but want the incentive for the $750 level), you'll be able to request the lower item when you
check in.
How deep is the water?
Each Plunge location is different, but we try our best to cut the hole in an area so that Plungers only
need to go in waist deep. If you want to go all the way under water, it's up to you — bend your knees!
How old do you have to be to Plunge?
We do not have an age requirement to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge. During the registration
process, all Plunge participants must approve the waiver, and participants under the age of 18 are
required to have a parent or guardian present at the event, and they must also approve the waiver.
Young children are welcome to participate, but that decision is left to the sole discretion of the child's
parent or guardian.
Where can I change before and after I Plunge?
We provide separate heated changing tents for men and women. Law enforcement personnel will be at
the entrance to monitor the area, but please note that neither the event committee nor Special
Olympics Oklahoma are responsible for personal belongings left inside the tent that are lost or stolen
during the course of the event. Leave items at your own risk.
What do I wear to Plunge?
Pretty much whatever you want, but keep these things in mind:
Wet suits are highly discouraged. Wear one and folks cheering from the sidelines probably won't be
cheering for you!
Shoes are optional. Wear something that straps onto your foot and won't fall off when you jump into
the water.
Costumes are highly encouraged!
Inappropriate bathing suits or costumes are not permitted. Remember, this is a family event! Event staff
and law enforcement personnel have the right to ask participants to change their costumes in order to
participate in the event.
Is alcohol allowed at Plunges?
Alcohol is not permitted at the Plunge site. If you are intoxicated, law enforcement will not allow you to
Plunge.
Are the Plunge incentives for sale?
We do not sell any of our Plunge incentives because we feel it is a privilege for those who participate
and have earned the various incentive levels. If we do have a large amount of incentives left at the end
of the season, we'll make the items available online.
Donations/Fundraising Questions
Who should checks be written out to?
Checks can be written out to "Special Olympics Oklahoma" or "SOOK."
You can also bring or give your chosen Plunger a check (written out to "Special Olympics Oklahoma" or
"SOOK") or cash donation, which you/they will then turn in at the event. You can also mail in your
donation to the address below. Be sure to include the Plunger's name so we know who to give credit to.
Special Olympics Oklahoma
Attn: Polar Bear Plunge
6835 S Canton Ave
Tulsa, OK 74136
Note: We don't update personal Plunge fundraising pages with checks we receive in the mail. It's up to
each participant to update their account with any donations received offline.
Does Special Olympics Oklahoma issue refunds?
Charitable contributions are non-refundable, and the minimum Plunge fundraising requirement is
considered a charitable contribution and is therefore also non-refundable.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes!
Is there a pledge form that I can download to give to people who might want to sponsor me?
Yes! The Plunge brochure (PDF) includes this form.
My company offers matching gifts. If I get my personal contribution to the Plunge matched, does that
count towards my fundraising total, and how do I go about getting credit for it?
Matching gifts are a great way to raise additional funds for your Plunge. As long as we receive the
matching gift BEFORE the Plunge, we will give you credit for the donation and add it to your fundraising
total. All you need to do is complete a request with your employer. They will have us verify your
donation and will send us the matching funds if we qualify under their giving qualifications.
Will my supporters automatically receive a receipt, or do I need to request them?
Special Olympics Oklahoma automatically generates thank you letters and donation receipts for anyone
who contributes $25 or more by check or money order and for whom we have complete and accurate
contact information (name, mailing address). All donations that are made online via credit card will
automatically receive a thank you letter and donation receipt via email — this is the only receipt they
will receive for that donation. Cash contributions that are not specifically credited to a particular donor
will not automatically receive receipts. If you would like a receipt for a cash donation, you can ask a
volunteer when you check in for a cash receipt.
I can't collect all my pledges before the Plunge. What do I do?
As long as you have the minimum $75 by the time of the Plunge, you'll be able to participate, and the
remaining funds can be turned in later. We can only register you and provide an incentive for the
amount of money you bring with you to the Plunge and/or was processed online before the Plunge. If
you receive donations after the Plunge, you can mail them to the address below. Please include your
name and Plunge location so we can give you credit.
Special Olympics Oklahoma
Attn: Polar Bear Plunge
6835 S Canton Ave
Tulsa, OK 74136
Why are my mailed-in donations not showing up on my Plunge page?
We do our best to notify you of donations received in the mail, but we will not update your Plunge
fundraising page. It is up to each participant to update their account with any donations received offline.
To add offline pledges to your account, log in to your account, and under the "My Account" drop-down
menu, choose Add Offline Pledge.
Day of Plunge Questions
How long does check-in take?
Our goal is to check in every participant quickly so that everyone can enjoy the event. We're taking the
steps necessary to ensure that we have enough volunteers available and that the registration process is
as smooth as possible the day of the event. However, no system is perfect, and we cannot guarantee
that you will not wait in line. We apologize in advance for any delays you might experience, and we ask
for your patience and understanding. We tend to experience a very high volume of registration traffic in
a relatively short time frame; we will do our best to create an efficient system, but unfortunately cannot
estimate wait times. If available, we recommend attending a pre-registration event to make the entire
process easier for you.
Am I guaranteed to receive my incentive when I check-in?
No. We do our best to order enough incentives to cover all the Plungers who participate, but if there is a
large increase in Plunge registrations, we may not have everyone's incentives available on site. If you do
not receive your incentives the day of the Plunge, they will be mailed to you as soon after the event as
possible. Be sure that you provide your current information when registering and that it is legible in case
this situation arises. Incentives will be determined based on the amount of money turned in on the day
of the Plunge combined with any funds raised online.
What are some tips to make check-in go faster?
Register online.
If you do not register online, have a Plunge brochure (PDF) completely and clearly filled out.
Arrive early and help alleviate the congestion expected 30 minutes prior to the Plunge.
When possible, contact us prior to arriving at registration with questions about online pledges or issues
regarding registration. If questions arise that day, we will do our best to help you with them in a timely
manner.
I have raised pledges both online and offline with cash and checks. How will the volunteers at Plunge
check in know how much I have raised?
At the on-site Plunge check in and pre-registration events, volunteers and staff will have a list of all
Plungers registered online including the total amount of pledges they have received online up to two
days prior to the event. If you have received donations within the two days prior to the event, please
print off a copy of your personal Plunge Web page so that we can verify your total. We will gladly accept
pledges after the event has passed, but incentives will be determined based on the amount raised prior
to the event. Any late pledges can be sent to the address below. Please include your name and Plunge
location.
Special Olympics Oklahoma
Attn: Polar Bear Plunge
6835 S Canton Ave
Tulsa, OK 74136