More than 40 Michigan Legislators and staffers will plunge into an icy pool in front of the Capitol steps in Lansing on Thursday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. as part of the eighth annual Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run Legislative Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan.
This one of a kind event at the Capitol provides plenty of funny moments and great photo and video opportunities for spectators and plungers alike, while helping raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) athletes in the process. The Legislative Polar Plunge has raised $200,000 for Special Olympics Michigan over the last seven years.
2019 Legislative Polar Plunge participants include:
- Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (73rdDistrict – City of East Grand Rapids and the townships of Cannon, Courtland, Nelson, Oakfield, Plainfield, Spencer and Grand Rapids Charter Township)
- Rep. Tommy Brann(77th District – Byron Twp. & Wyoming)
- Rep. Sara Cambensy (109thDistrict – Marquette, Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties)
- Rep. Darrin Camilleri (23rdDistrict – Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron, Trenton, Woodhaven and Brownstown)
- Rep. Roger Hauck(99th District – Isabella & Midland Counties)
- Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr.(23rd District – East Lansing)
- Rep. Kevin Hertel(18th District – Eastpointe, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe Shores)
- Sen. Adam Hollier(2nd District – Wayne County, Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods & Highland Park)
- Rep. Brandt Iden(61st District – Oshtemo Township)
- Rep. Frank Liberati(13th District – Allen Park)
- Rep. Leslie Love(10th District – Redford Charter Twp. & Detroit)
- Sen. Mallory McMorrow (13th District – Oakland County, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak and Troy)
- Rep. Luke Meerman (88thDistrict – Allendale, Georgetown, Tallmadge, Wright, Chester, Coopersville and Polkton Township)
- Rep. Mike Mueller (51stDistrict – Genesee and Oakland Counties)
- Rep. Nate Shannon (25thDistrict – Sterling Heights and Warren)
- Rep. Joe Tate (2ndDistrict – Detroit, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe City and Grosse Pointe Farms)
Three Sergeant at Arms for the Michigan Senate Police will also take the Plunge:
- Sergeant Gary Setla
- Sergeant David Blackman
- Sergeant Phil Nardone
MEDIA NOTE: High Definition video from the Legislative Polar Plunge will be available for download in time for your late local newscasts. High Resolution photos will also be made available. A media alert email will be sent to statewide media on the evening of Thursday, February 28 when video and pictures are available for download.
2019 Legislative Polar Plunge Details:
Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019
Time: 3:00 p.m.
City: Lansing
Venue: Capitol Steps
Wednesday, March 6 is “Spread the Word: Inclusion” Day – a global engagement campaign to increase inclusion amongst people with and without and developmental disabilities through grassroots action. In schools, workplaces, and communities around the world, local leaders are taking a pledge to create socially inclusive places to learn, work, and live.
In March of 2014, the Michigan House and Senate unanimously voted to remove the “R-Word” from state laws. On March 28, 2014, former Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley signed the “R-Word” package of bills, officially removing the term “retard(ed)” from state laws and replacing it with the term “developmental disability.” There are only a handful of states left that have yet to take similar measures. The terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” were removed from federal health education and labor policy in 2010.
The annual Michigan Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Polar Plunge is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI), raising more than $1 million dollars each year.
The Legislative Polar Plunge is one of 30 Polar Plunges taking place across Michigan this winter. The Polar Plunge series is known for its zany costumes and courageous participants. After raising funds, these participants dress up in costume and prepare to plunge, ready to jump in and freeze their fur for a good cause. Funds can be raised by collecting pledges from friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. For more info, and to register for the remaining plunges, visit PlungeMI.com.
