Polar Plunge fund-raiser set for Saturday at Banner

Want to help Kansas Special Olympics? Go jump in a lake.

More specifically, go jump in Banner Creek Reservoir at 1 p.m. this Saturday for the Polar Plunge event.

There is still time to become a “Below Zero Hero” and raise funds for area Special Olympic athletes.

The plunge is being organized Saturday at the north swim beach at the reservoir, which is located just west of Holton on Kansas Highway 16. 

Individuals and/or teams are invited to participate in the event, and each person is required to donate at least $75 to Kansas Special Olympics to jump into the lake as part of the plunge that day. People are encouraged to dress up in costumes and at least go waist deep into the water.

To register, participants can visit www.plungeks.org.

Early forecasts are predicting that the temperatures will be in the 50s that afternoon, but the water will be much cooler.

Each Polar “plunger” will receive a sweatshirt, and also additional prizes if the individual donates more than $75.

The goal for the 2016 Polar Plunge is to raise $275,000 from the 10 plunges in Kansas. Besides Holton, plunges and/or 5K Struts run/walks have been planned for Emporia, Garden City, Haysville, Lawrence, Kansas City, Manhattan, Pittsburg, Salina, Shawnee and Topeka.

So far, $1,129 has been raised for the Holton Polar Plunge, according to fund-raisers. The goal for the Holton event is $5,000.

Prior to the event, a pre-party will be held at Your Place or Mine, 501 E. 5th St. in Holton, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Participants can also register at that time or at the swim beach just prior to the event.

If plunging into a semi-frozen lake isn’t appealing to you, “virtual plungers” are also accepted at www.plungeks.org