Kelley Ligozio, Senior Director of Development for Special Olympics and an Irondequoit resident was our guest speaker.
Special Olympics New York provides inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, who compete in Olympic-style, coached sports at no cost to our athletes, their families or caregivers.
Rochester’s “Freezin' For A Reason” Polar Plunge is one of the largest fundraisers for the Special Olympics. Last year’s event raised $350,000 and included 1800 plungers and 5000 spectators. There were 75 students from West Irondequoit High School who plunged raising $15,000.
The proceeds help to support world athletes, including expenses for three Rochester athletes that participated in the2025 Torino, Italy Special Olympics.
Rochester is the host for the 2026 state games. There will be 2000 athletes coming to compete in February. The Polar Plunge money helps with transportation and housing.
Thanks to a donation from the Golisano Foundation, students in high school or younger can participate in the NEW Cool School Mobile Polar Plunge. The mobile polar plunge is a portable, self-contained tank or trailer filled with ice-cold water, allowing Polar Plunge events to happen anywhere, not just at lakes or beaches. West Irondequoit students will be plunging at 4PM on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Nazareth University. The lakeside event will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 12Noon(Registration Starts at 9:00AM), Roger Robach Community Center, Ontario Beach.
While Dan Dwyer will be plunging in Mexico, Tom Kosanke, Brandon Barnhart, Dave Long and others will be plunging in Lake Ontario.
