©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Gearing Up to Go Jump in the Lake |
The head of the local chapter of Special Olympics says she's hopeful the down local economy won't have much of an impact on an annual effort to raise money for her organization.
Cathy Betar is Area Four Director of the Western Illinois Special Olympics. The chapter is preparing for its seventh annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge Sunday, March first, at Lake Storey.
Betar says $24,500 was raised last year from 160 plungers representing eight area counties, and that this year, the goal is $4,000 greater, with hopes of getting 200 plungers.
Betar tells WGIL she doesn't think the economy will keep that increased goal from being reached. "The economic downturn hasn't really hit rural America as hard as it has in some of the major cities," Betar said. "Last year we did fine, locally, with raising money. Throughout the state, not so well. It is a concern of ours. I was very concerned when our (goal) amount got increased over last year, because last year I think we had a great year."
Betar says all she can do is hope, for one, that more plungers will take part this year than last, and says with almost as many plungers as last year already registered this year, they're well on their way.
Anyone raising at least $75 will get to take that trek into the potentially icy Lake Storey waters, and prizes are available for those who raise that amount or more, including baseball tickets and a trip to Cancun.
More information on this Polar Plunge, including the ability to register online, can be found by CLICKING HERE.
[Galesburg Police Captain Lindsey May, right, speaks about the 2009 Polar Plunge, while Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas (left), and Western Illinois Area Four Special Olympics Director Cathy Betar (center) listen.]
[Galesburg Police Officer Dan Williams shows off the new Law Enforcement Torch Run T-Shirts for 2009. The Torch Run itself will be held later this year, but officials say this is the first year Galesburg Police has been recognized on the back of the shirt. WGIL News Story and Photos by Will Stevenson.] |
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| 02 14 09 by Newsroom |
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