Taking the plunge for Special Olympics

It was something a person like Ted Rupert would do, and he did.

Rupert was in the front of the pack Sunday at the second annual "Freezin' for a Reason" Polar Bear Plunge at Ski Run Marina in South Lake Tahoe to benefit Special Olympics. The group of about 40 raised more than $8,000 by placing their 98.6-degree bodies into waters hovering around 40 degrees.

"It is for people like me who are crazy enough to jump in Lake Tahoe during the winter to raise money for Special Olympics," Rupert said. "It was something else."

Rupert said he saw a photo of last year's inaugural event with participants running into the frigid water.

"I thought, I could do that, and got pledges from everyone around here. Then I went up there Sunday, and they also had a costume contest. One guy had a $7 suit he bought at the Salvation Army thrift store."

One woman was dressed in a swim suit and hula skirt.

Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competition to persons with developmental disabilities. Programs are free to all eligible athletes ages 8 and older.

Financial support for Special Olympics comes almost exclusively from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations.

Rupert said he hopes the event will be bigger and better next year and has already put out a challenge to other business owners to participate.

"I challenge anybody out there to do it, especially business owners. I put it out as a personal challenge for other business owners to send somebody. Chevy's did it - their employees did it.

"And you bet I want to do it again next year. It was real neat to do it. You could just stick one toe in the water or go all the way."

So just how far did Rupert go?

"I went all the way, and most went all the way in. I went far enough out until I went under water."

The Polar Bear Swim Club in Vancouver, British Columbia, recently held its 85th annual swim on Jan. 1. It is not a new idea, but one dependent on brave souls.

Special Olympics Team Tahoe Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator Elaine Glasser said the weather was gorgeous for the dive, which saw close to 40 participants.

"Since we've proven ourselves (through first two events), I'm absolutely encouraged for a third year and am going after corporate sponsors," Glasser said.

"I did have emergency personnel on hand - several firemen and paramedics. We take no chances.

"Not only is this done to raise money, but awareness for Special Olympics. And it's fun."

Rupert said many Special Olympians were on hand for the event. After the swim, everyone was invited to head to Chevy's for a raffle.

"There were a great amount of sponsors of the event," Rupert said. "The ski resorts put in a lot, too. There was a raffle at Chevy's afterward."

Rupert's Auto Body has been a family-owned and operated business in Carson City since 1959.

"We've been active with community support a long time," Rupert said.

"This definitely was for a good cause and I was very happy to do it. We'll do it again next year."

Special Olympics has area offices in Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Reno and Placerville, Calif.

n Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

COLD, HARD FACTS

• Hypothermia is a drop in a body's normal core temperature to 95 degrees or below

• Signs of hypothermia: Shivering and "umbles" - stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles

• Other signs include: Slurred speech; abnormally breathing rate; cold, pale skin; fatigue, lethargy or apathy

• Severe hypothermia can vary and will eventually lead to cardiac and respiratory failure, then death

LAKE TAHOE DIVERS

• In water temperature 32.5-40 degrees, it takes 15-30 minutes until exhaustion or unconsciousness; expected time of survival in the water, 30-90 minutes

• In water temperature 40-50 degrees, it takes 30-60 minutes until exhaustion or unconsciousness; expected time of survival in the water is 1-3 hours

Source: Mayo Clinic Web site