Take the plunge

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

Sandpoint Special Olympics coach and local program coordinator Chris Painter will be jumping in Lake Pend Oreille this weekend, and she thinks you should, too.

“People will say, ‘Oh my god, it’s probably so cold,’ but actually when you’re there and everybody is all charged up, it’s not bad,” she said. “It’s really fun.”

Join the fun at the Penguin Plunge this Saturday, March 10, at City Beach to raise money for Sandpoint’s Special Olympics team. To participate, gather pledges, show up Saturday at 11 a.m. to register — with money in hand, if possible — and take the chilly plunge at noon.

Not only is it a good cause, but there are different levels of prizes depending upon the amount of money a plunger raises. There are also prizes for the best costumes and even for the “golden plunger” — the person who makes the biggest splash receives an actual plunger, painted gold.

Following the main event at the lake, plungers can head to the Sandpoint Community Hall for a chili cook-off, kid carnival, raffle and more at 1 p.m.

Painter said the event is the team’s main fundraiser for their Summer Games, and helps fund the regional winners’ trip to southern Idaho for the state competition.

To learn more about the Penguin Plunge, visit www.firstgiving.com/event/idso/2018-sandpoint-penguin-plunge.