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Freezin’ for a Reason raises money for Special Olympics
  
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By Tom Munds
Don Carmody said he’ll donate money and cheer the teams on, but he draws the line at plunging into the chilly waters of Chatfield Reservoir Dec. 5 during the “Freezin’ for a Reason” fundraiser for Colorado Special Olympics.
“The organization is very important to me because I have two nephews who take part in Special Olympics competitions,” the Englewood resident said. “So, I try to do all I can to help the them like donating money to support the work Special Olympics does. But on Dec. 5, I plan to stay in what they are calling the coop on the shore for chickens like me where I can cheer on those brave enough to go into the water.”
This is the second year there has been a Polar Bear Club-style plunge into cold water to raise money for Colorado Special Olympics.
The Dec. 5 event, dubbed “Freezin’ for a Reason” is an extension of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Like all events to benefit Special Olympics, funds raised go to help provide facilities and events for more than 10,000 special-needs individuals who compete in Special Olympic events around the state.
The annual torch run features a relay made up of teams of members of law enforcement agencies around the state use a relay system to bring several Olympic-style torches to the state Capitol to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics. The Englewood and Littleton police departments and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department usually take part in the event to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics. Several agencies also take park in the plunge.
Last year, 209 people went into the water and the event raised $54,000 and Sarah Traut, torch run manager for Special Olympics, said the event should raise even more this year.
“We have gotten good support from a number of law enforcement agencies as well as from individuals and from companies,” she said. “So we expect to exceed the number of people who take the plunge and top the money raised last year.”
Locally, teams planning to take part in the event include the Lone Tree Police Department and Steve Johnson, an investigator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and former Littleton detective, who has pledges totaling more than $1,000.
Also, there will be number of Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Deputies who will take the plunge.
Deputy Bryan McKnight went into the water last year and he is organizing the sheriff’s department team he is calling Insanity II for the Dec. 5 event. So far, they have pledges totaling about $2,900.
“We have been involved in the torch run since 1996 and, in addition to that event, we have done a lot of crazy things to raise money for Special Olympics,” he said. “So, I figured why not jump into cold water for the cause. Right now, I have 11 people signed who promise to take the plunge with me and I am trying to convince some others to join us.”
He noted the event is open to the public and, whether someone goes into the water or not, they can come to watch and can support Special Olympics by making a donations to the organization.
There is still time to join a team or to donate to the project. For information visit the Web site at www.specialolympicsco.org or call 303-592-1361.
“The organization is very important to me because I have two nephews who take part in Special Olympics competitions,” the Englewood resident said. “So, I try to do all I can to help the them like donating money to support the work Special Olympics does. But on Dec. 5, I plan to stay in what they are calling the coop on the shore for chickens like me where I can cheer on those brave enough to go into the water.”
This is the second year there has been a Polar Bear Club-style plunge into cold water to raise money for Colorado Special Olympics.
The Dec. 5 event, dubbed “Freezin’ for a Reason” is an extension of the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. Like all events to benefit Special Olympics, funds raised go to help provide facilities and events for more than 10,000 special-needs individuals who compete in Special Olympic events around the state.
The annual torch run features a relay made up of teams of members of law enforcement agencies around the state use a relay system to bring several Olympic-style torches to the state Capitol to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics. The Englewood and Littleton police departments and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department usually take part in the event to raise awareness and money for Special Olympics. Several agencies also take park in the plunge.
Last year, 209 people went into the water and the event raised $54,000 and Sarah Traut, torch run manager for Special Olympics, said the event should raise even more this year.
“We have gotten good support from a number of law enforcement agencies as well as from individuals and from companies,” she said. “So we expect to exceed the number of people who take the plunge and top the money raised last year.”
Locally, teams planning to take part in the event include the Lone Tree Police Department and Steve Johnson, an investigator with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and former Littleton detective, who has pledges totaling more than $1,000.
Also, there will be number of Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Deputies who will take the plunge.
Deputy Bryan McKnight went into the water last year and he is organizing the sheriff’s department team he is calling Insanity II for the Dec. 5 event. So far, they have pledges totaling about $2,900.
“We have been involved in the torch run since 1996 and, in addition to that event, we have done a lot of crazy things to raise money for Special Olympics,” he said. “So, I figured why not jump into cold water for the cause. Right now, I have 11 people signed who promise to take the plunge with me and I am trying to convince some others to join us.”
He noted the event is open to the public and, whether someone goes into the water or not, they can come to watch and can support Special Olympics by making a donations to the organization.
There is still time to join a team or to donate to the project. For information visit the Web site at www.specialolympicsco.org or call 303-592-1361.
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