MILWAUKIE, Ore.–Clackamas FCU partnered with Special Olympics Oregon to raise more than $41,500 this year as part of its “BRRR...tual Polar Plunge” for Special Olympics.
Polar Plunge is an event that is held each year to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities and to raise funds for this cause. The team at Clackamas was comprised of 16 plungers. Seven were Super Plungers, who committed to a higher fund raising goal, and had to plunge 24 times each during the chilly month of February. Clackamas also has staff on the Special Olympics Young Professionals Council, which helped organize this year’s Polar Plunge.
Clackamas FCU noted that since its founding, Special Olympics has grown to be an international phenomenon, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in 193 countries. No other organization has done more to foster inclusion and acceptance of this community worldwide than Special Olympics. The organization provides opportunities for improved health and economic empowerment to thousands of the most deserving individuals you will ever meet.
Because the individuals Special Olympics serves can be immunocompromised, playing sports together in-person was not safe in 2020. Quick to respond to the pandemic, and to keep athletes engaged while distanced, Special Olympics Oregon developed virtual programs including fitness classes on Zoom, a digital community on Facebook, and virtual programming for their Fall and Winter Games. Several Clackamas staff members volunteered to coach these virtual teams
“At Clackamas, we are passionate about improving lives, and the Polar Plunge is one of those incredible events that is not only a ton of fun for our team, but has tremendous impact in the lives of thousands of adults and children with diverse abilities,” said Aaron Goff, Clackamas Federal Credit Union president and CEO. “I am so proud of our team for their big hearts and incredible creativity in coming together for this great cause, despite the pandemic.” “It wouldn’t be a complete Polar Plunge without
2021 was Clackamas’ fourth year participating in the Polar Plunge event benefitting Special Olympics Oregon. While this year’s event looked a little different compared to prior years, the Clackamas team came together to raise more funds and committed to more polar plunges than ever before.