Annual Westport Penguin Plunge Raises Over $91,000

Dressed in costumes, swimsuits and team jerseys, more than 300 people participated in the annual Penguin Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics. All "plungers" where grateful for the warm  spring-like day as they ran, jumped and dove into the chilly waters of Westport's Compo Beach.  

Teams and individuals from throughout southwestern Connecticut helped raise over $91,000 to benefit  Special Olympics.  Westport had several residents, youth sport teams and businesses who took the plunge including a team from the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, the Staples Girls Lacrosse team  and members of  Westport's Fire and Police Departments.

Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Special Olympics year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Olympic-style events give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.  Each year more than 6,000 children and adults from Connecticut compete in over 50 competitions in 21 different sports.  

The event had several local sponsors including Bob's Discount Furniture, who provided beverages and food through Jerri Praham's Bluebelle Premium Granola Bars, USI, Black Duck Cafe and the Saugatuck Rowing Club.  95.9 FOX Radio provided music and announcements as well as a team of plungers.  Awards, including an eight-day trip to Puerto Rico, where given to the top fundraisers and most creative costumes.

If you missed this year's event, don't worry - there's always next year!  The Penguin Plunge is held annually in more than 10 locations throughout Connecticut, usually taking place between December and March.  Westport's Plunge is the largest of all the events and is the No. 1 fundraiser for Connecticut's Special Olympics. 

For more information about the Special Olympics or to make a tax deductible donation go to  http://www.soct.org.