On Saturday, April 6, Lone Tree Police Department and other staff got a little chilly for a great cause. The LTPD team had 22 participants and raised over $22,500 at the Aurora Polar Plunge for Special Olympics.
Chief of Police Kirk Wilson, who holds the title of “highest individual fundraiser” for this year’s event, spent his birthday plunging.
“This was my seventh year participating, and it’s for a great cause,” says Wilson. “It’s been great to see the community come out to support Special Olympics,” he shared.
The entire region supporting the Aurora-based event raised over $197,000, exceeding the initial goal of $180,000. These funds allow Special Olympics Colorado to provide year-round sports, competitions, health screenings, and leadership opportunities at no cost to over 23,000 athletes. Even Mikey, LTPD’s support dog, participated as one of the first ever Polar Pups to fundraise and run the 5K race prior to the plunge.
The City also partnered with a few local businesses to raise funds for the plunge . Sazon, Vibe Foods, and Lone Tree Brewing Company provided avenues to donate and directed some of their proceeds to the team. Rampart Range Metro District Board member Denise Dinslow and Park Meadows Retail Resort General Manger Steven Sayers also joined LTPD to hop into the freezing water!
The Lone Tree Police Department is looking forward to another record-breaking plunge next year and welcomes anyone in the community to join them. We promise, you’ll only be cold for a few minutes!