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3 Chances To Take A Polar Plunge To Benefit Special Olympics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado Springs Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics will be held this Saturday at Prospect Lake and two others are scheduled in Boulder and Aurora.

According to the Special Olympics Colorado, "Anyone with a little guts and a warm heart wanting to support Special Olympics Colorado athletes is welcome to participate."

Anyone over the age of seven is welcome. Register as an individual or join a team and plunge with friends.

Registration and check-in begins at 11 a.m. and will be open until 12:45 p.m. at Prospect Lake. Registrants will need to bring a minimum contribution of $85 for adults and $50 for students or Special Olympics athletes. Reach out to friends and family to encourage them to donate to Special Olympics on your behalf.

"As a plunger, your commitment to your family and friends is that you'll jump into a frigid body of water," Special Olympics Colorado said.

All plungers will need to sign a waiver. Plungers under 18 must have the waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Plunging will start at 1 p.m. All plungers must wear shoes into the water and no wet suits are allowed.

"We're going to be Freezin' for a Reason," said Mindy Watrous, President and CEO of Special Olympics Colorado.

Colorado Special Olympics offers year-round programs through training and competitions in 22 sports for more than 12,000 athletes around the state of Colorado.

"Our athletes don't pay to participate. We don't receive any government funding, so everything we raise is from the generosity of Colorado citizens," Watrous said.

Watrous said it will be her seventh time participating in the PlungeFest.

"I keep thinking there must be a mandatory retirement age," Watrous joked.

Thanks to the support of hundreds of people and organizations around Colorado, the 2012 Polar Plunge series raised $219,000 to help support Special Olympics Colorado athletes.

After the plunge and after party will be held at McCabe's Tavern located at 520 South Tejon Steet from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Appetizers, drink specials and door prizes will be available.

Register online for the Boulder Polar Plunge until Feb. 8 and for the Aurora Polar Plunge until Feb. 22. By registering early, you can take advantage of great fundraising incentives from Dick's Sporting Goods. Visit the Special Olympics Colorado website to register.

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