MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Affinity Plus and MSU Moorhead athletics helped raise
$15,207 for Special Olympics Minnesota at the second annual Polar Plunge event, held at Nemzek Hall on Tuesday, April 15.
The group's goal was to raise over $15,000 for Special Olympics, which was exceeded thanks to 140 brave Plungers. Adding this year's total to the first two years gives the Dragons a grand total of $44,332 for Special Olympics Minnesota over three years. This year also had a level of competition to it as fellow Minnesota State system school (and NSIC foe) Bemidji State went head-to-head with MSUM, holding their Polar Plunge event on April 14. The Beaver contingent raised another $13,834 for Special Olympics Minnesota. There were other plunges that have been hosted by MinnState institutions since the Dragons started their campaign including Winona State ($9,380), St. Cloud State ($7,478), and Minnesota State, Mankato ($7,607 so far, plunge on April 29th).
This year's grand total for all MinnState institutions was $53,506!!!
Instead of jumping into a frozen lake, participants in the Moorhead Polar Plunge jumped into a custom-designed mobile plunge unit called the Plungester, which was located outside of Nemzek Hall. MSUM student-athletes got in on the fun as several Dragons were able to raise substantial dollar amounts for Special Olympics Minnesota. Volleyball senior
Jadyn Feist led the way, topping the leaderboard after raising $1,148 and teammate Emily McPhee brought in $400. Women's basketball's
Adie Wagner raised $610 while teammate
Terryn Johnson raised $362.
Dragons volleyball led the way as far as team donations were concerned, raising a whopping $4,681 for Special Olympics. MSUM women's basketball raised $1,252 as a collective while swimming & diving ($859), football ($675), cross country/track & field ($475), soccer ($382), men's basketball ($300), and tennis ($95) all totaled significant donations.
The $15,207 raised for Special Olympics has a significant impact on the group and those who are a part of it. Here are a few things donations can be used for:
$2.50 - Provides a first place athlete with a gold medal at an SOMN competition.
$5.00 - Provides a meal to an athlete at an SOMN competition.
$10 - Provides a hearing screening and hearing aids to an SOMN athlete.
$15 - Provides a non-invasive dental screening, hygiene education, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouth guard to an SOMN athlete.
$20 - Provides physical therapy screening and stretch/exercise coaching to an SOMN athlete.
$30 - Puts a child through an 8 week SOMN Young Athletes season.
$45 - Sends a coach to SOMN's Sports Academy training program.
$60 - Provides an eye examination and a pair of glasses to 2 SOMN athletes.
$100 - Sends a Unified Pair to SOMN's Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs University).
$250 - Implements a Respect Campaign into a school, business or organization.
$300 - Provides necessary equipment for an entire Young Athletes season.
$500 - Provides funding to start a new Special Olympics Minnesota Delegation.
$1,250 - Sends an SOMN athlete to Special Olympics USA Games.
Affinity Plus has been supporting Special Olympics Minnesota since 2008 and in that time, both the Credit Union and its employees have raised more than $700,000 for the charity. This year, Affinity Plus saw an opportunity to leverage its partnership with Minnesota State University Moorhead to bring the Polar Plunge back to the Moorhead community, expanding access to this unique and fun event.
About Affinity Plus Credit Union
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 31 branches located throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 260,000 members. Affinity Plus has more than $4 billion in assets. Additional information is available at
www.affinityplus.org or by calling (800) 322-7228.
