Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics coming up

Special Olympics’ annual “Freezin’ for a Reason” Penguin Plunge will be held Saturday, April 1, and that’s no April Fools' joke.

The freezin’ requires little explanation. The lake is above flood stage and the 10-day forecast is for overcast skies. The reason is to help raise money for the Coeur d’Alene Special Olympics team, which has some 200 athletes with intellectual disabilities competing in a variety of Olympic-type sports.

Plungers are asked to request pledges for jumping into the lake. There is no charge to participate, and pledges will be donated to the local Special Olympics program. Plungers do not have to be associated with the program.

Advance registrations are being accepted at www.idso.org under Events. On-site registrations will start at 11 a.m. the day of the plunge at the band shell at the Coeur d’Alene city beach.

Plungers will run into the lake at noon. The public is invited to plunge and to come and watch the show.