Decorah Unified Champions to Host Polar Plunge

DECORAH — Decorah High School Unified Champions will host a Cool School Polar Plunge for the second time May 14 at Decorah High School. The plunge will take place in two groups, with the first beginning at 11 a.m. and the second at noon. The cost to participate is $25, with incentives from Special Olympics Iowa for higher fundraising amounts. Last year, the group raised more than $15,000, which was split between Special Olympics Iowa to help cover the costs of regional and state events that Decorah students participate in, and the Decorah Unified Champions program, which runs a variety of inclusive sports and activities throughout the school year at Decorah High School. Funds from last year's event helped pay for items including jerseys for Unified sports and Unified Champions shirts. This year, the group hopes to raise funds to purchase new ramps for inclusive bowling and potentially add to sports uniforms. Unified Champions invites the Decorah community to join in this effort to get cold for a very cool reason. Participants can register using the link below or donate in support of someone who is already plunging. Those who register may join an existing team or form their own. Decorah Special Olympics and Unified Champions coordinator John Dunt said, "All of the funds that are raised for this event impact Decorah students. The money that goes to Special Olympics helps them run events that we take our students to, and the money we keep helps us expand our Unified Sports programs, which benefit everyone in the school. Last year was an epic event, and we hope to top it this year with the help of the Decorah community and the inclusion of Luther College."