The West Concord Fire Department volunteers have been participating in the Polar Plunge each winter to raise money for the Special Olympics. They started with one team in 2012 and added a second team in 2019. This year one team will send 8 members to the Rochester event on February 10th and a second team of 7 members will go to Maple Grove for the February 3rd jump. Most of these are Fire Department members and some are family members.
Each member raises $100 to $150 in pledges for their jump and the department has raised over $15,000 in total contributions over the years. You can pledge a donation by going to www.plungemn.org/events/ and selecting the town and the participant you wish to sponsor.
The Polar Plunge takes place regardless of the temperature. The ice on the lake is cut and removed to provide open water for the event. They have a warming house where the participants can warm up and dry off after their plunge. They jump into chest deep water and then make their way 15 to 20 yards to shore. Incase the lake does not have ice cover they will utilize a dock to walk out to the jump point.
