Now they’re calling me a SUPERHERO! (I think I like that better than a Plunger.) According to Special Olympics VA, February 6 proved fans will stop at nothing in support of them and their annual Polar Plunge Festival. 2,636 thrill-seekers took the icy dip this year, despite snow, rain, sleet and wind, raising $861,000 (and counting!) for Special Olympics! If you were there, you’re a SUPERHERO too! Thank you for coming out and supporting us. You can see more crazy photos here, and read the full story on my replacement windows website.

The folks at the Atlantic Shores Christian Academy dared me to take a dip into the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean in support of Special Olympics Virginia. This year I accepted. To date, the event has raised $4.7 million for the organization.

You don’t need to risk hypothermia to be a Plunge hero. IEven though it’s too late for you to register (or take my place) for this year’s bone-chilling challenge, if you’re in the area, please come out and cheer me on while I “suit up” for the winter swim.

Even if you don’t want to catch a few waves or cheer me on, it’s a great cause, and you can make a donation through the Mr. Rogers Windows Foundation (earmark PLUNGE on your check). We can all make a difference, and this is a fun way to do it.

The fun starts Friday night with a rockin’ plunge party, and on Saturday there’s a costume parade and contest, pee wee plunge, ice carving and more before the main event at 2:30 pm. I love the gigantic sand sculptures.

Special Olympics Virginia is indeed a very special organization. They provide year-round programming in sports training and athletic competition specifically for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Serving almost 10,000 special athletes across seven regional offices and through 28 area programs, Special Olympics Virginia is also proudly part of a dynamic global movement, which is now in more than 180 countries and represents over three million athletes worldwide.

Using sports to influence social change, Special Olympics VA wants to open our collective hearts and minds about people with intellectual disabilities.

Their mission is to provide participants with exciting and competitive athletic opportunities that will help them to develop and improve physical fitness and motor skills, as well as build self-confidence and promote a positive self-image.

And thanks to the assistance and generous support of more than 20,000 wonderful volunteers and partners around the state, these special athletes don’t have to pay in order to achieve their dreams.