Coventry Plunge at the Lake to benefit Special Olympics

The Coventry Plunge at the Lake hosted by Connecticut State Police – Troop C and Eastern Police Department to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut will be held on Saturday, March 21st. This annual fundraiser encourages people to come together and jump into chilly waters to support Special Olympics athletes. Patriot’s Park on Coventry Lake is located at 124 Lake Street in Coventry. Check in will begin at 9 a.m. and the Plunge will take place at 11 a.m. Preregistration online is strongly encouraged so that participants can form teams and earn incentive prizes. Sign up and find out more at soct.org. Participants may also register on the day of the event. Questions? Call 203-230-1201 or email specialolympicsct@soct.org. And, follow Special Olympics Connecticut and the Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Coventry Plunge at the Lake is one of a series of Penguin Plunge events to benefit local Special Olympics athletes that will take place February through April. Penguin Plunges feature music, refreshments, awards and parades of plungers in costumes and team jerseys. To join in the fun, participants must be at least eight years old and raise a minimum of $100. In addition to the awards for top fundraisers and best costume, participants receive incentive prizes for their fundraising efforts. All are invited to participate in the Plunge, including individuals, friends and families, and teams representing schools, businesses, organizations and clubs. Spectators are welcome. To find out about other upcoming Penguin Plunge events, visit soct.org.

New this year! The school that raises the most money through its participation in a Penguin Plunge event this season will be visited by an NBC Connecticut special guest and Snow Monster!

About the Special Olympics Connecticut Law Enforcement Torch Run®

The Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Connecticut is one of the movement's largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicles. This year-round program involves law enforcement officers from across the state who volunteer their time to raise awareness and funds through events including Tip-a-Cops, Cop-on-Tops, and Jail N’ Bail fundraisers.

In addition, each year in June, over 1,500 officers and athletes carry the Special Olympics "Flame of Hope" through hundreds of cities and towns across the state, covering over 530 miles over three days. The runners run the “Final Leg” and light the ceremonial cauldron during Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors: Dream Ride, Whelen Engineering, WWE and The Bearingstar Insurance Charitable Fund.

Gold Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets / IGA Hometown Supermarkets and Papa’s Dodge.

About Special Olympics Connecticut

Special Olympics Connecticut provides year-round sports training and competitions for more than 13,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and Unified Sports® partners - their teammates without disabilities.

Through the joy of sport, the Special Olympics movement transforms lives and communities throughout the state and in 190 countries around the world by promoting good health and fitness and inspiring inclusion and respect for people of all abilities, on and off the playing field. (www.soct.org)

Partner Sponsors: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Dream Ride, Enterprise, ESPN, Eversource Energy, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Law Enforcement Torch Run, NBC and Telemundo Connecticut, TD Bank, United Technologies and WWE.

Year-Round Suppliers: Adams Hometown Markets/IGA Hometown Supermarkets, Campus Customs, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Connecticut Portable Storage/PODS, Marcus Communications, Poland Springs, State of Connecticut Judicial Branch Community Service and WORX.