RI SPECIAL OLYMPICS
However, as with everything else in our lives this past year, it will look a little different. Please understand that the changes we’ve made to our traditional Penguin Plunge are to limit crowding, keep everyone safe while supporting the great athletes of Special Olympics Rhode Island!
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED BY MIDNIGHT DECEMBER 30th.
Go to https://give.specialolympicsri.org/campaigns/19140-46th-annual-special-olympics-rhode-island-penguin-plunge to register. If you or someone you know needs assistance to register, or help with the on off-line registration option, please ask them to call (401) 349-4900 and we will assist them (please know our office hours are varied during the holidays).
Instead of one large plunge at noon, we will offer time slots limited to 75 plungers each:
10:15am Family-Friendly plunge; arrive between 9:30 and 9:45
11:00am; arrive between 10:15 and 10:30
11:45am; arrive between 11:00 and 11:15
12:30pm; arrive between 11:45 and 12:00
1:30pm; arrive between 12:45 and 1:00
Please limit spectators/towel holders to ONEper plunger.
Masks are encouraged. Social distance between people will also be encouraged.
There will be no registration tent as all plungers will be pre-registered
There will be a tent to pick up incentives and buy Penguin Plunge merchandise.
Volunteers at the tent will be accepting donations of cash or checks you have received and distributing incentives you have earned.
NEW THIS YEAR: There will be times set up the week before the plunge to hand in checks or cash and receive incentives at the Special Olympics RI Office in Smithfield. We hope this will make it easier at the beach on New Year’s Day!
Days & Hours are as follows:
Dec. 28, 29 & 30 10:00 am to 12:noon & 3:00pm to 5:00 pm
To limit crowds, once your plunge has been completed, take pictures, dry off a bit and please leave the beach so we can get ready for the next group. Understand that crowd control will help limit potential spread of viruses.
For those who would like to support Special Olympics Rhode Island and the Penguin Plunge but are not ready to come back to the beach, please feel free to do your own Virtual Penguin Plunge! Last year we had lots of fun and creative virtual plungers! Please take a picture or video and send to tracy@specialolympicsri.org to share on the Penguin Plunge Facebook page.
Please know that these plans may change if we need to comply with the changing health mandates from the State of Rhode Island and/or Special Olympics International. Changes will be emailed to pre-registered plungers and be posted on the Penguin Plunge Facebook page and Special Olympics RI web site.
ABOVE ALL…THANK YOU! The Penguin Plunge starts the new year here at Special Olympics Rhode Island with a dramatic (if not wet and cold) show of support of our athletes! What you raise will directly impact Rhode Islanders with intellectual disabilities of all ages throughout the state. Thank you!