On Jan. 28, a volunteer group called the “Lewis County Icicle Brigade” will be joined by friends and family at Mayfield Lake in Mossyrock for the annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Washington and our Lewis County Special Olympics athletes.
I invite you to support us with a donation or, better yet, join the team.
The famous Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy once said, “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?”
I hear those immortal and motivating words every time I volunteer in the community; however, they resonate loudest when I am about to jump into 40-something degree water on a 30-something degree morning to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics.
Sure, on Jan. 28, at 8 a.m. I could be sipping coffee at home reading the newspaper or watching television. Then I start thinking about all the Special Olympics athletes and their families. Special Olympics athletes have invested substantial time and money traveling, training, competing and proudly representing our community in the Special Olympics.
The athletes and families are role models for me, my children, our community and the next generation of Special Olympics participants. They exemplify the idea that anything is possible when you showcase “abilities” rather than focus on “disabilities.”
Building inclusive communities and shattering stereotypes takes more than words and sentiments. To create opportunities for Special Olympics athletes and their families, we must raise awareness and money to help open the door of possibilities. There are over 7,400 athletes and unified partners in Washington counting on us to support their efforts. And for every athlete helped, there are 13 others waiting on the sidelines to get in the game.
This year, Special Olympics Washington kicked off their “Beyond Gold” initiative. According to Special Olympics Washington, “Beyond Gold” is a multi-year strategic plan that is designed to reach more people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in more places, create more life-changing opportunities and ignite support across the state.
The plan is built on five pillars of community, leadership, belonging, equity and connection.
Our Lewis County Icicle Brigade Polar Plunge Team is currently nine members strong and has already raised $1,000 for Special Olympics athletes. With your continued support, we will surpass our $2,000 fundraising goal.
I also want to thank officer Ruben Ramirez and the Centralia Police Department for their continued support and leadership on the polar plunge, The Chronicle, KELA-KMNT Radio, each member of our growing team (Peter Abbarno, Duane Blair, Kristi Bridgman, Leah Freeman, Shawna Haller, Wendy Irving, Chris Judd, Patti Nelson and Ramirez), contributors and supporters.
Please consider helping us “make a splash” for Special Olympics Washington.
If you would like to join our team, donate to the Lewis County Icicle Brigade or support individual plungers, please visit the Lewis County Icicle Brigade team page online at https://impact.sowa.org/LC-Icicle-Brigade-23. You can also find the link to join and support Special Olympics Washington on Facebook and Twitter.
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Peter Abbarno, a Centralia-based attorney, is a former Centralia city councilor and a current state representative for the 20th Legislative District in the Washington House.
